When it comes to healthcare services, several tools and technologies are being launched every day. While some look for
healthcare trends to stay at the top, others search a way to
enhance patient engagement. Clinical informatics in healthcare is the application of informatics that delivers healthcare services.
It promotes the understanding and application of information technology in the health industry. It covers several topics like visual imaging (radiological, dermatological, and others), system design, order entry systems, and more.
The American Medical Informatics defines Clinical Informatics as-
“The application of informatics and information technology to deliver healthcare services.”
The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) describes-
“It promotes the understanding, integration, and application of information technology in healthcare settings.”
It is defined in the ACGME program requirements as-
“The subspecialty of all medical specialties that transforms health care by analyzing, designing, implementing, and evaluating information and communication systems to improve patient care, enhance access to care, advance individual and population health outcomes, and strengthen the clinician-patient relationship.”
It is the interdisciplinary study of data, information and computing technology, and communication with different conditions. It is also called as health informatics and is used to improve patient care plans. It evaluates the efficiency and operation of the clinical information system and uses different technologies to improve patient care.
Clinical informaticists combine the practice of information science and healthcare management to improve healthcare outcomes and strengthen patient-clinicians relationships. It refines clinical processes, develops, and manages the clinical information systems.
The Importance of Clinical Informatics
Clinical Informatics in healthcare plays a crucial role in storing and using information. This information helps professionals in collaborating with other physicians, and thus patients’ care becomes safer and effective. Regular assessments and secured electronic exchange of information improve overall healthcare quality, prevent medical errors, and reduce costs.
It uses healthcare Information technology like radio frequency identification and EHRs to track patients’ info and equipment. The secure exchange of information allows instant access to data to patients and healthcare professionals. It is a practical discipline that advances medical research and enhances the value of healthcare delivery.
It affects different areas of patient care and communicates seamlessly between patients and healthcare experts. Patient care is a crucial aspect of high-quality care. It uses advanced technology and information to interact with multiple people in different ways.
How Clinical Informatics is Improving Patient Care
Earlier, the health industry relied on paperwork to store and collect information. However, with the changes in technology, clinicians store data in computer systems that can be accessed from anywhere. Let us know the benefits that clinical informatics offer to the healthcare industry.
1. Reduces Costs
According to reports, medical errors cost the US around $40 billion each year. Clinical Informaticians succeeded in reducing these errors and also saved patients’ extreme costs.
Furthermore, it reduces manual work and avoids redundancy. With an electronic and connected system in place, the traditional methods of collecting blood test reports are not delayed. The lab results reach your doorstep and reduce malpractice claims.
The changes in healthcare need the right technical skills to deliver high-patient care. These involve different processes to grow the business and strengthen patient safety.
2. Enhances Patient Participation
When patients get access to record their health status at their fingertips, it becomes easier for them to take care of themselves. It empowers their role in healthcare seriously. Those who have access to care portals can educate themselves easily and keep track of symptoms and medications.
Additionally, they can interact with physicians without hesitation. Clinical informatics makes patients feel they are a part of a healthcare team. The systematic process allows patients to track and consult the right healthcare expert.
This results in a faster transaction from both ends. The CHESS program initiated by the Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality helped patients with severe diseases like AIDS and Alzheimer’s.
3. Maintains Electronic Health Records (EHR)
Maintaining a record of multiple patients is not an easy task. It requires a lot of paperwork when a company uses paperwork transactions. Today,
electronic health record (EHR) is the modern version of manual processes and makes the management of patient records easier.
With EHR, the patient’s data, including his name, medication history, test results, and other details, can be accessed by experts and nurses from anywhere. The data is already fed in the system and gives an accurate record in every transaction.
4. Increases Coordination
Today, healthcare is becoming personal, which means patients are receiving care from multiple doctors in one hospital stay. It increases coordination and helps in making better decisions. Clinical informatics results in high-quality care and provides a better diagnosis.
It has better effects on communication and provides the best framework for patientcare. Clinical informatics is designed specially to access X-ray results, medications, allergies, and discharge planning.
5. Less Trial
Electronic Health Records ensure that patients receive the proper and right medication for the first time. It even warns healthcare professionals about a particular drug if it is dangerous to a patient’s health. Thus, it reduces errors and delivers better services.
How Clinical Informatics is Different From Health Informatics
The majority of people believe that clinical and health informatics can be used interchangeably. But different types of informatics are used for different purposes. For instance, nursing informatics deals in nursing science and analytical science to manage, define, and communicate information in nursing practice. Whereas, bioinformatics analyzes biological data such as genetic codes.
Health Informatics is a combination of information technology and communication and continues to transform healthcare in different ways. Clinical informatics is related to the health information used by physicians. A Clinical Informatics specialist has the responsibility to troubleshoot the system as needed, analyze data to improve outcomes, and train staff members on how to use the clinical information system. They also develop and implement plans to improve the system’s efficiency.
Final Words
Physicians, pharmacists, assistants, and other healthcare experts share data to make a plan on how to treat a patient. They also use the latest technologies, like tablets, computers, and smartphones, to collect information. A clinical informaticist serves multiple roles based on the healthcare setting. In a healthcare business, it becomes necessary to be guided by the right people who have experience in healthcare-related matters.
If you are looking for some healthcare IT services company that could guide you in delivering the best patient care services and designing advanced
healthcare apps, then we at Covetus can help you in delivering the best healthcare services. We have experience in working on a wide variety of healthcare services like
DICOM,
HL7, and more.
