Advancements in technology have been one of the significant contributors to the growth of many sectors in the economy. One of the major beneficiaries of technology is the area of medicine. Putting it briefly, medical professionals have found it imperative to incorporate health information technology into medical practice. This is because health information technology paves the way for better treatment and better outcomes for patients worldwide.

Having said that, the incorporation of technology into the healthcare system is essential. But what is health information technology? And, what are the benefits of health information technology?

Here is a breakdown of everything you need to know about health information technology.

What is Health Information Technology?

Put simply, health information technology (HIT) denotes the electronic systems used by both health care professionals and patients to store, retrieve, share and use data related to an individual’s health care.

The infrastructure of health information technology is built around computer hardware and software technology. It is through this infrastructure that medical professionals are able to manage patient information electronically. At the same time, patients are able to take more control and ownership of their long-term health outcomes.

Examples of health IT include:

• Electronic health records (EHRs)

• Personal health records (PHRs)

• Electronic Prescribing (E-prescribing)

• Privacy and Security

What are some of the benefits of health information technology?

The benefits of health information technology in medicine are immense. The following are some of the numerous benefits healthcare professionals may derive from health information technology:

Reduced Paperwork

Traditional systems of recording and sharing patient information tend to be cumbersome. In addition, a lot of time is wasted by patients during a doctor’s visit filling out paperwork. Quite frankly, valuable patient information may be lost in the storage process.

However, adopting healthcare information technology introduces an electronic information storage system that eliminates all of the hurdles experienced by patients and doctors. Put briefly, an electronic information storage system not only allows for proper storage of information but also allows the patient to update their medical history quickly and efficiently. As a result, the patient, physician, and medical staff save a lot of time.

Eliminates Unnecessary Tests

Doctors often conduct unnecessary tests, primarily because they don’t have access to prior test results. However, Health Information technology through Electronic Health records allows healthcare providers to access preliminary test results quickly. In fact, doctors can order prior and relevant tests and procedures, saving them a lot of time and money.

Allows for Better Follow up and Better Follow-through

Patient engagement is one of the main benefits of health information technology. Through Electronic Health Records, patients are able to get reminders through email or text messages about making or keeping appointments or staying current with treatments.

Faster Information Sharing

Electronic Health Records enhance rapid access to information. Put simply, through EHRs, patients are able to access information quickly that may be available to authorized healthcare providers. As such, patients no longer have to wait to hear back from their physician since their data or test results are readily available.

Allows for Secure Access to Information

Patient data is critical. If such information is lost, then doctors may have a hard time recovering the same data. 

That said, EHRs set out to properly manage and secure the entire medical history of a patient. This means that in the event of a natural disaster or an unimaginable event, a patient or any other healthcare professional can recover the patient’s data with ease. 

It is also worth noting that the patients’ data is stored according to HIPPA requirements. Therefore, the healthcare systems integrated envision a safe and secure structure for storing information.

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Introducing health information technology opens up new windows of opportunities towards advancing health in the medical field. As such, it would suffice to say that the future of medicine lies in health information technology.

Need to learn how IT is for the healthcare business and medical practices? Contact us today to learn more.