Health Informatics

Health InformaticsFrank Auddino

Abby HizaAlex Huss

Chris Letso

Health Informatics

Definition: The study, development, and implementation of computer science, information science, and healthcare.

Improves: communication, understanding and management of medical information.

Used: in nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, clinical care, public health, and biomedical research.

Objective: to gather all information about the patients to be stored and retrieved in an easier manner, making it less expensive to deal with.

THE HISTORY BEHIND IT

1949: first seen by Gustav Wager in Germany.

1960’s: training programs in France and throughout Europe until it reached the United States ten years later.

1980’s: the practitioners used several computers on the same patient database.

1995: networked computers and databases began to facilitate free-flowing health care information.

Currently: a necessary tool to have in just about every health care facility.

AROUND THE GLOBE

Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, and the United Kingdom: they have spent their focus on developing an Electronic Medical Record.

South Africa and the United States: many struggles related to developing a unique patient identifier.

All: using smart card technology by their patients to receive their medical information.

OBAMA’S HEALTH CARE PLAN

Invest in electronic health information technology systems

$10 billion a year for the next five years to move the U.S. health care system

Ensure the protection of patients’ privacy.

Electronic Health Records

Telemedicine and mHealth

Creating, storing, sending medical data instantly

Improves care, health of patients

mHealth – Mobile Health Information TechnologyUses cell phones, portable devices

Personal Health Records

User-based log of medical history

OnlineBrowser-based or mobile

Viewable by doctors

More insight, less hassle

Medical Cards

Wallet-sized cards can serve as medical ID

Medical info and records stored digitally

Less paperwork, quicker process

Community Health Networkhas used such cards since 2008

Medical Cards cont.

Battery-powered LCD Screen cards also available

EMI 911 rCard

Charts, text, full-colorphotos, easily accessible

USB connection to upload medical info

Medical Cards - Risks

Card could be lost

Damage from wear and tear, water

Info could be compromised, stolen

False Advertising

VeriChip

Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) microchip implanted between shoulder/elbow

Scanned using reader, shows datasuch as medical records

Fast, useful for emergencies

VeriChip - Concerns

Violation of Civil LibertiesTracking by government, corporations?

Anyone with reader could view personal infoData is unencrypted

Could cause cancer

E-Prescriptions

Freedom of choice

Waiting times

Fewer errors

Data Integration & Analytics Information sharing

Compare Assess Monitor

Visualize early warning trends Disease Side-effects Bioterrorism

Positives

Eradicates illegible handwriting

Faster and easier information sharing

Personalized health information portals

Improved quality of care

Fewer hospital visits

Negatives

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=os-q_C2uSjI&feature=related

Depersonalizes medicine

One wrong input could be detrimental

High risk of losing cards

Relatively new technology

Legal requirements