Apply Quality Improvement
The presented case indicates that the EMR used in the hospital is ineffective. The use of a different system can make a difference for this institution. The term “meaningful use” refers to the use of specialized electronic health record (EHR) technology to maximize safety, promote efficiency, improve quality, and minimize disparities in health care (Laxman, Krishnan, & Dhillon, 2015). The EHR technology makes it easier for hospitals and healthcare facilities to improve care coordination, privacy, and patient safety. One of the representatives from the institution’s finance department has recommended the idea of meaningful use. The team members might ask several questions such as:
- What is the role of meaningful use in medical practice?
- Will the concept minimize errors and improve healthcare delivery?
- What are the stakes regarding the use of the new technology?
- Will the technology ensure information is accessible to every stakeholder?
- What is the future of meaningful use and the major challenges associated with it?
Edmunds, Thorpe, Sepulveda, Bezold, and Ross (2014) argue that meaningful use will affect what the task force in the institution does. The first effect is that the task force will find it easier to improve efficiency and transparency through the use of EHR technology. The task force will also be required to engage different stakeholders such as patients, multidisciplinary teams, and family members. The task force will also promote the provision of personalized health care delivery. The level of coordination will increase significantly. The duties of the task force will be streamlined while at the same time maximizing efficiency (Edmunds et al., 2014). These changes will eventually transform healthcare delivery and reduce disparities in medical care.
Informatics
Medical technology is a field that has gained much attention within the past decade. In my workplace, informatics has transformed the quality of health care available to the targeted patients. The first notable change is that the level and nature of communication have increased significantly. The clinicians and nurses have found it easier to exchange ideas, identify new care delivery models, and address emerging problems (Laxman et al., 2015). Nurses are now able to use evidence-based ideas to develop better care delivery models. The healthcare professionals in the workplace are capable of making informed decisions. The use of informatics has empowered me to meet the diverse needs of my patients.
Biomedical equipment and technologies have become common in different healthcare settings. The equipment will make it easier for caregivers to diagnose different conditions and offer appropriate treatment. I have used some biomedical equipment in our healthcare facility. Some of these devices include CT scanners, x-ray machines, ultrasound machines, incubators, and dialysis machines (Edmunds et al, 2014). These machines are making it easier for many healthcare facilities to maximize the health outcomes of their patients.
The use of different biomedical equipment is something that has impacted care. For instance, our healthcare institution is now able to serve more patients within a short time. Due to the use of modern technology and biomedical equipment, the facility is now capable of treating more diseases (Edmunds et al, 2014). Medical errors and sentinel events have reduced significantly. The practice has led to quality, safe, timely, and evidence-based patient care. Hospitals and medical facilities should embrace the use of these medical technologies and equipment to improve the quality of healthcare delivery.
References
Edmunds, M., Thorpe, L., Sepulveda, M., Bezold, C., & Ross, D. (2014). The future of public health informatics: Alternative scenarios and recommended strategies. EDM Forum Community, 2(4), 1-13. Web.
Laxman, K., Krishnan, S., & Dhillon, J. (2015). Barriers to adoption of consumer health informatics applications for health self management. Health Science Journal, 9(5), 1-7. Web.