Acquiring a Health Information System
The process of a selecting a system can vary greatly from organization to organization; nevertheless, there are certain fundamental steps that must be taken and certain considerations that must be addressed as part of any systems acquisition. The selection process takes on additional complexity within the health care arena, where the systems acquired by an organization directly impact the work of its clinicians and administrative staff, which in turn affects the care of its patients.
Prepare for this Discussion as follows:
• Read Case Study 7, "Implementing a Telemedicine Solution" on pages 609-611 in the course text, Health Care Information Systems: A Practical Approach for Health Care Management.
• Select one of the three high-priority areas identified in the case (e.g., radiology, behavioral health, and intensive care) to focus on. Consider the questions given at the end of the case study, and in addition, think about ways you would apply principles from the Learning Resources to this management challenge.
Post by Day 3 a response to the following:
• In the first line of your posting, identify the high-priority area you selected for this assignment.
• If you were charged with bringing telemedicine to Grand Hospital within the next 12-18 months, what first steps would you take toward system acquisition?
• Focusing in particular on radiology, behavioral health, or intensive care, what considerations would you be most concerned about addressing and why?
• Who would you involve in the planning process and why?
• Describe a key role of governance in this process.
Readings-
• Course Text: Health Care Information Systems: A Practical Approach for Health Care Management
o Chapter 12, "Organizing Information Technology Services" This chapter focuses on the importance of not only purchasing quality equipment, but also of having appropriate and well-trained personnel to support the technology. The different types of personnel needed for information technology services and the respective duties of each position are explored.
o Chapter 15, "IT Governance and Management" This chapter explores key organizational concerns for the management of health care information technology, including the structural approaches to governance, measurements of effectiveness, allocation of funding, and budget management.
o Chapter 16, "Management's Role in Major IT Initiatives" This chapter discusses how to manage organizational changes that occur as the result of an information technology initiative. It also identifies key project roles in an initiative and describes what each role entails.
Article: DeVore, S. D. &Figioli, K. (2010). Lessons premier hospitals learned about implementing electronic health records. Health Affairs, 29(4), 664-667. Retrieved from http://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=2013981681&Fmt=3&clientId=70192&RQT=309&VName=PQD.