HCA-360: The health information technology and management course provide information and skills the health information technology specialists require to integrate information technology and systems within the health care facilities. Thus, learners should examine basic components and functions of health care management information systems (HMIS) that work to manage data and resources which influence point-of-care decision-making by providers. Moreover, issues concerning privacy, security, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care procedures are also explored.
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What is health information technology?
Health information technology is the application of information processing including both computer hardware and software that deals with the storage, retrieval, sharing, and use of health care information, data, and knowledge for communication and decision making.
Health information technology specialists are responsible for handling the technical aspects of managing patient health information. Moreover, depending on their positions, health information technology specialists might build, implement, or support electronic health records and other systems that patient-related data. They might also collaborate with other health care teams to drive improved outcomes, lowered costs, and new developments in inpatient care.
Common job titles for health information technology specialists.
These are the common positions in health information technology:
- Systems analyst.
- EHR implementation specialist.
- Programmer analyst.
- Software developer.
- Software engineer.
- Data architect.
- Consultant.
- Data quality analyst.
- Chief technology officer (CTO).
- Chief information officer.
Importance of health information technology.
The general purpose of health information technology is to provide better care to patients and help achieve health equity. Other roles include:
- It supports the recording of patient data to improve health care delivery.
- It allows analysis of recorded data.
- Analysis of recorded data may enable implementation of health policies thus better treatment or prevention of diseases.
- Health information technology improves the quality of health care delivery.
- It increases patient safety.
- Health IT decreases medical errors. For example, Electronic record systems prevent human-errors in record keeping.
- Health information technology strengthens the interaction between patients and healthcare providers.
- Better record keeping allows doctors to better understand patient’s medical histories. Thus, leading to better treatment of ailments.
What is health information management?
Health information management is the collection, analysis, storage, and protection of the quality of patient health information.
Common job titles for health information managers.
These are the common job titles for health information managers:
- Health information specialist.
- Privacy Officer.
- Coding trainer.
- Data quality specialist.
- Health information manager.
- Business analyst.
- Health care data analyst.
What are the essential skills for health information technology and health management specialists?
Health information technology and health management specialists require several skills to be successful in their careers. These skills include:
- Analytical skills.
- Attention to detail.
- Clear communication.
- Problem-solving.
- Critical thinking.
- Technological and leadership skills.
- Strong communication skills are required due to constant collaboration with stakeholders across health care organizations.
- Adaptability.
Primary responsibilities of health information technology and health information management specialists.
- Health information technology specialists are responsible for building, implementing, and supporting electronic record systems and other systems that capture, manage and store patient data. Therefore, these individuals must have a strong understanding of information technology systems like programming, data structures, and communication technologies.
- HIM specialists implement processes and systems to support accurate and complete medical record documentation.
- HIM specialists also work with physicians to improve the quality of documentation.
- Health IT specialists must also ensure that electronic health data managed by health information managers are well-maintained and exchanged accurately and efficiently.
- HIM specialists also comply with state laws and standards to privacy, security, and record completion.
- Health information management specialists also prepare and analyze clinical data for research purposes, process improvement, utilization management, and mandatory reporting.
