Module 7: Healthcare Informatics Applications Part II Essay

Module 7: Healthcare Informatics Applications Part II Essay

Module 7: Healthcare Informatics Applications Part II Essay

Healthcare Informatics Applications Part II

Healthcare Informatics Applications Part II
Healthcare, institutional, and government policies form the baseline for practice and practice guidelines across different fields and departments. Similarly, healthcare and nursing informatics are guided by policy and practice guidelines. Government and health policies include policies on electronic health records, patient safety, and telehealth. Institutions also develop policies to protect patient information by enforcing privacy and security safeguards policies. This discussion assesses the impact of policy on informatics, the current impact of public policy, and future recommendations on public policy initiatives that would enhance patient outcomes and healthcare equality.

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Policy has, over time, impacted informatics considerably. Policies have been developed by government and healthcare agencies to regulate the use of health information technology, enhance patient empowerment, and protect patient safety while using information systems. For example, government agencies such as the Office for the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality have developed policies to regulate healthcare information technology and the quality and effectiveness of health information systems in care provision. Policy has also impacted informatics by regulating the use of electronic health records. According to Magunson and Dixon (2020), even though the government does not mandate healthcare institutions to use electronic health records, it has laid out policies and guidelines on a standardized methodology and structure for their implementation and use.
Some of the EHR policies that have impacted informatics include that EHR should be designed to work for multiple healthcare settings, the systems are required to maintain and enhance healthcare delivery practice, have the capability to interact with patients and provide transparency, and provide a platform for further research and policy development. Additionally, the policy has impacted informatics by enhancing patient safety protection through using privacy and security safeguards in healthcare systems. According to Cummins et al. (2021), patient safety is a priority in informatics policies. HIPAA is one of them. Because it was developed to enhance insurance coverage and effectiveness of care, there was the need to develop policies to ensure that patient information was safe as it was being transmitted electronically. Therefore, privacy and security safeguards were developed to protect personal health information. Currently, healthcare institutions using informatics are required to be HIPAA compliant. Therefore, the policy has impacted informatics by regulating its use and enhancing the protection of patient safety.
However, future public policy informatics initiatives should consider enhancing patient outcomes and reducing healthcare inequalities. One of the ways to enhance patient outcomes is developing policies to promote patient education and patient-care provider interactions using informatics systems. These systems are already in place. However, there are no policies to mandate patient education and other health promotion initiatives using informatics. Veinot et al. (2019) note that informatics can improve patient outcomes by developing policies that mandate health promotion interventions, such as patient education to be delivered through informatics. Additionally, policies to promote telehealth to ensure healthcare services reach medically underserved populations can be used to promote healthcare equality. Vulnerable and minority populations that cannot access healthcare services physically can be provided with telehealth services, especially for follow-ups and medical consultations, thus decreasing inequality.
Government, healthcare, and institutional policies are major in regulating healthcare informatics. The agencies that develop these policies include AHRQ and the Office for the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. Health and public policy have impacted informatics by regulating its use and enhancing the protection of patient safety. Future policies can be used to enhance patient outcomes and reduce healthcare inequalities.

References
Cummins, M., Kennedy, R., McBride, S., & Carrington, J. (2021). Policy priorities in nursing informatics: the American Academy of Nursing Informatics and Technology Expert Panel in 2020. CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing, 39(3), 120–122. https://doi.org/10.1097/CIN.0000000000000731
Magnuson, J. A., & Dixon, B. E. (Eds.). (2020). Public health informatics and information systems. Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-41215-9
Veinot, T. C., Ancker, J. S., Cole-Lewis, H., Mynatt, E. D., Parker, A. G., Siek, K. A., & Mamykina, L. (2019). Leveling up: on the potential of upstream health informatics interventions to enhance health equity. Medical Care, 57, S108-S114 https://doi.org/10.1097/MLR.0000000000001032

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Discussion Question:

What impact has policy had on informatics? Describe the current impact and provide recommendations for future public policy informatics initiatives that would improve patient outcomes and healthcare equality