Discuss ways your organization uses technology to gather patient and health care information, and how this information and data are used to direct patient care and outcomes.

Discuss ways your organization uses technology to gather patient and health care information, and how this information and data are used to direct patient care and outcomes.

Discuss ways your organization uses technology to gather patient and health care information, and how this information and data are used to direct patient care and outcomes.

Using Technology to Gather Patient Information

Over time, health practice has evolved into a profession relying heavily on technology and data. Remote patient care is encouraged as providers invent ways of reducing costs and physical visits to hospitals. Health care professionals also need to share patient data quickly to reduce health complications and waiting times. Other vital developments dominating current practice include increased patient safety and providing ethical, secure, and timely care. Fortunately, technology integration in patient care has solved most challenges. However, providers must use technology effectively to gather patient information and apply it appropriately. The purpose of this paper is to discuss how my organization uses technology to gather patient and health care information in directing patient care and outcomes.

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Using Technology to Gather Patient and Health Care information

My organization mainly uses technologies for collecting data at the points of care and remote locations. For accurate diagnosis and treatment, interviews with health care professionals enable patients to provide adequate data about their conditions. Patients also fill out paper or electronic forms depending on their abilities, comfort, and severity of illnesses. Such information is stored securely in electronic health records (EHRs) to ensure it can be accessed, analyzed, and retrieved when needed. Data updates are also made appropriately as the patient visits the facility or communicate with nurses, physicians, or other assigned professional.

Wearables are another source of patient and health care information, particularly for patients with chronic diseases. Such patients require continuous monitoring and ready support due to their vulnerabilities and increased need for self-management support (Peyroteo et al., 2021). Patients with diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and cancer are the most targeted. Information collected via wearable devices includes body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and activity level. Most devices have motion sensors that readily capture the patient’s vitals and sync them with other gadgets for data sharing, such as mobile phones, tablets, and computers. Individually or through trusted assistance, patients share information about essential changes in their health conditions, progress after medication, and other data.

Using Information and Data to Direct Patient Care and Outcomes

EHRs are reliable sources of up-to-date and complete patient data at the point of care. As Dixon et al. (2018) posited, the availability of patient data via EHRs enables quick access and sharing to facilitate coordinated, efficient care. The information is also secured from unauthorized and malicious access. Availability of such information and sharing through interoperable systems allows health care professionals to accurately diagnose patients and provide timely care (Dixon et al., 2018). Such outcomes are critical to reducing medical errors and providing effective and safe care. On the other hand, wearable devices create a more informed patient populace that is more aware of its health habits, behavior patterns, and disease development. Readily available information about body vitals, sleep, and eating habits assists patients with self-care tips and ensures they are more engaged in disease management (Bove, 2019). Sharing the data with health care providers is instrumental in care coordination as nurses and patients create health goals collaboratively. Patients also visit the health care facility when necessary.

Conclusion

Health care organizations use different technologies to gather patient and health information. My organization uses technology to gather information at the point of care and remote locations through EHRs and wearable devices. The information and data are used to facilitate timely and coordinated care by enabling professionals to share information. Other benefits include promoting patient engagement in the health process, communication, and remote monitoring of patients with chronic diseases.

References

Bove, L. A. (2019). Increasing patient engagement through the use of wearable technology. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 15(8), 535-539. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2019.03.018

Dixon, B. E., Embi, P. J., & Haggstrom, D. A. (2018). Information technologies that facilitate care coordination: provider and patient perspectives. Translational Behavioral Medicine, 8(3), 522-525. https://doi.org/10.1093/tbm/ibx086

Peyroteo, M., Ferreira, I. A., Elvas, L. B., Ferreira, J. C., & Lapão, L. V. (2021). Remote monitoring systems for patients with chronic diseases in primary health care: Systematic review. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 9(12), e28285. https://doi.org/10.2196/28285