Sample Answer for NUR 514 Topic 6 DQ 2 GCU Included After Question
Assessment Description
Discuss the importance of interoperability between EHRs and other disparate systems and the impact on improving quality and access to care. How can workflow analysis be used to identify issues related to interoperability?
A Sample Answer For the Assignment: NUR 514 Topic 6 DQ 2 GCU
Title: NUR 514 Topic 6 DQ 2 GCU
Electronic health records are an example of a technology that may be used to improve the quality of services within the practice. This is a technology that has been applicable to managing patient concepts, and one of the benefits related to electronic health records is better engagement and exchange of information, commonly referred to as interoperability. Electronic health record technology supports the accessibility of health services and quality care provided to patients (Kruse et al., 2018). This is a technology that creates efficiency in practice, supporting the accessibility of information and data on diagnosis for patients. The technology may also support the security of the information or privacy of data for the patients. It is a technology that has been influencing communication due to the diagnosis information that is stored on health issues for the patients. The existence of interoperability enables the development of more reliable solutions and addresses any inconveniences to improve quality care within the practice. Accessibility of information that is achieved influences the quality of care, therefore impacting health improvement.
The improvement of quality and accessibility of services through interoperability significantly impacts the quality and access to care services. The workflow analysis may also be used to identify issues related to interoperability. This is associated with an identity of different issues of concern, and one can benefit because of reliable analysis. In the case of health professionals engaging in workflow analysis, they can establish reliable information on essentials for creating effectiveness within a particular health system unit. The effectiveness can be supported because of identifying challenges that are closely associated with interoperability. Health professionals can use workflow analysis to determine approaches to successful workflow design (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2018). In the process of evaluation, the experts can determine challenges that prevent the possibility of being successful or achieving outcomes for the patients. They can also determine areas of improvement, and workflow analysis may offer a broad understanding of possible improvements. Workflow analysis is thus a vital aspect for health experts to identify health concerns and engage in improvement through meeting outcomes. Quality care and improvement of outcomes have been determined to be a result of better workflow analysis.
References
Kruse, C. S., Stein, A., Thomas, H., & Kaur, H. (2018). The use of electronic health records to support population health: a systematic review of the literature. Journal of Medical Systems, 42(11). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-018-1075-6
McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2018). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.REPLY
Interoperability between EHRs is very important in healthcare. Interoperability is the ability for systems to communicate and or share information. Interoperability allows organizations to work together and cooperatively use data. Electronic health record interoperability, “enables better workflows and reduced ambiguity, and allows data transfer among EHR systems and health care stakeholders. Ultimately, an interoperable environment improves the delivery of health care by making the right data available at the right time to the right people,” (HealthIT, 2023).
Interoperability is important for several reasons. One example being improved patient care overall. Interoperability allows patient data to be exchanged between providers, which allows for better provider communication regarding patient care. Interoperability increases efficiency since data does not require manual entry – this also reduces the risk for error in patient information. Interoperability can also save providers money and increase patient involvement in their care, as their accessibility to care is better.
Workflow analysis is a tool used to understand sequences and processes. Workflow analysis is a tool related to interoperability. It can be used to analyze how data is exchanged, areas of improvement for EHR’s, gaps in the system or gaps in data entry, etc. By being aware of these discrepancies and areas of improvement, providers and/or healthcare organizations can correct the problems and implement solutions. Overall, interoperability and workflow analysis work together to improve patient outcomes.
Staras, S., Tauscher, J. S., Rich, N., Samarah, E., Thompson, L. A., Vinson, M. M., Muszynski, M. J., & Shenkman, E. A. (2021, March 31). Using a clinical workflow analysis to enhance eHealth Implementation Planning: Tutorial and case study. JMIR mHealth and uHealth. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8047797/
What is EHR interoperability and why is it important?. What is EHR Interoperability and why is it important? | HealthIT.gov. (2013, January 15). https://www.healthit.gov/faq/what-ehr-interoperability-and-why-it-important#
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