The use of IT enabled systems is gaining momentum in most hospitals. The systems are used to improve the quality of nursing services that patients receive with an aim of enhancing their safety. In this regard, the paper gives credible information to enable various stakeholders in the health sector to establish the power of IT systems in improving the quality of health service. Its main objective is to establish the role of information system (IS) in enhancing patient safety. It also seeks to establish the role of IS in advancing the quality of medical services. The information addresses two separate questions that relates to health safety.
Description of the effect information systems have on patient safety
According to Harrington (2012), IT systems are instrumental elements that affects patient safety in most settings positively. The IT set-ups provide credible answers and quality solutions to patients’ safety problems. That is they facilitate timely, quality, accuracy and effective service delivery in the medical sector (Harrington, 2012). In particular, the set ups improve quality service delivery by enhancing communication between stakeholders, monitoring of patients and management of patient data. This is achievable through effective record keeping. Consequently, they provide the requisite incentives that drive therapeutic activities, ensure effective patient check up, nursing care and delivery of radiology reports.
These elements explain why IT devices hold the capacity of solving patient problems with minimal complications and in real time (Harrington, 2012). For instance, use of IT systems such as electronic cameras foster patient monitoring by nurses without making frequent rounds in the patient rooms. This enables nurses and doctors to establish in real time when a patient is under any danger and respond promptly. This technology has been instrumental in restoring hope in patients who affirmed that the system has indeed contributed positively to their safety.
The systems also facilitate accuracy in disease diagnosis and drug prescription (Travaglia & Braithwaite, 2009). This ensures that the right medicine is given for the right disease to avert further complications that may arise due to wrong medication. Therefore, health officials in various institutions should integrate relevant Medicare devices or infrastructure. This is essential in enhancing patient safety by improving the quality of medical services (Travaglia & Braithwaite, 2009).
Stringent requirements for the development of IS devices or system
Chadwick, Fallon, Wil & Kirrane (2012) noted that, there are stringent requirements for the development of effective IS devices in health institutions. They are important since effectual utilization of information systems in providing patient safety requires their holistic integration. The requirements are paramount since they are the key ingredients that foster the effectiveness of health devices. Their absence may compromise the effectiveness of IT infrastructure in providing patient safety (Chadwick et al, 2012). This explains why there is need for health institutions to ensure holistic identification, integration and acquisition of medical equipments such as scanners.
Scholars assert that for medical devices to be fit for use and ensure absolute patient safety, they must meet the standard requirements. They should be fitted with basic medical operating systems like ex-ray programs for them to be deemed as medical devices. Sammon & Adam (2008) affirmed that the quality of medical devices depicts the level of patient safety. That is if the devices hold pertinent requirements then patient safety is guaranteed while inferior integration of the requirements compromises patients safety. Evidently, medical devices should be integrated with pertinent programs to enhance accuracy and effective service delivery in the health sector. The devices should undergo holistic implementation procedures to aid their functionality.
References
Chadwick, L., Fallon, F., Wil J., & Kirrane, F. (2012). Functional Safety of Health Information Technology. Health Informatics Journal, 18(1), 36-49. Web.
Harrington, L. (2012). Safety of Health Information Technology: New Report from the Institute of Medicine. Nurse Leader, 10(2), 50-52. Web.
Sammon, D., & Adam, F. (2008). Reforming Public Healthcare in the Republic of Irelandwith Information Systems: A comparative Study with the Private Sector. Hershey, United States, Hershey: IGI Global. Web.
Travaglia, J. F., & Braithwaite, J. (2009). Analysing the “Field” Of Patient Safety Employing Bourdieusian Technologies. Journal of Health Organization and Management, 23(6), 597-609. Web.