Discussion and Assignment Background:

Improved patient outcomes are the core goal of technology use in the health care industry-any technology which can help practitioners to do this job faster, more accurately, and with better data gathered is welcomed. But adopting new technologies requires massive operational shifts.

In this week, you will discuss the impact of mobile technology in health care organizations. Then, you will examine the impact of an IT initiative, comparing the changes seen in IT transitions in the health care industry to those in other industries.

Learning Objectives

Students will:
- Assess the impact of eHealth and mobile information system implementation in health care and other industries
- Compare and contrast IT initiatives, applications, and practices in health care organizations
- Evaluate the operational impact of Meaningful Use and other new IT initiatives and mandates in health care organizations

Discussion Topic: The Impact of Information Technology on Operations

The mobile technology revolution has impacted nearly every industry, and revolutionized communication and connection. Mobile technology has made an appearance in many health care organizations. From mobile health apps to learning via video, electronic health records, and "big data" analysis, mobile health technology is poised to have a continuous impact on health care for some time to come. Some facilities use tablets to access patient information on the spot, tools for patient monitoring have increased, and improved data gathering can result in better outcomes.

Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues' postings. Begin by selecting the "Post to Discussion" link and then select "Create Thread" to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and cannot post anonymously.

To prepare for this Discussion:
Read the articles provided this week and reflect on the use of information technology in your health care organization or an organization with which you are familiar. Also, consider the recent trend in the implementation of mobile technology in health care organizations. Conduct an online search to find information about mobile IT implementation in other industries.

Post a cohesive response to the following:
Write an assessment of the logistical, financial, and any other considerations of implementing eMobile/eHealth information technology in your organization. If mobile technology is in use in your organization, give a brief description of the technology in use, and assess the impact this has had on operations.

Assignment Topic: How Is Information Technology Transforming Health Care?

How is information technology (IT) transforming health care? The impact of new initiatives which provide patient access to providers is enormous and potentially astronomical. Consider the ways in which initiatives such as patient portals, innovative care such as medical apps or tele-visits, and directives such as Meaningful Use improve patient health clinical outcomes. How do these initiatives impact the financial health of the company? Will these costly IT initiatives create a positive return on investment?

To prepare for this Assignment:

Read this week's resources, then identify a new initiative utilizing new technology in your organization or a health care organization with which you are familiar. (Examples: online training for annual competency training, tele-visits, a move from traditional servers to cloud data management, operations systems in place in supply chain management, bar coding, inventory management, etc.) Once you have identified the initiative, conduct an online search to find information about IT implementation for similar initiatives in other industries.

The Assignment:

In 3-4 pages, describe the operational impacts of the new initiative you identified. Explain how the initiative transformed your organization. Apply your observations about other industries to your analysis of the initiatives in your organization. Assess how the common traits of a successful IT transformation apply to your organization.