Detecting Medication Errors in a Health Care Facility Using Health Information Technology

Detecting Medication Errors in a Health Care Facility Using Health Information Technology

Diagnosis is an important activity done by health care personnel. Patient safety is of utmost importance and should be prioritized above all when providing health care services. The World Health Organization identifies errors in diagnosis as one area that needs special attention if health care facilities are to be improved. Misdiagnosis is a medical error that many people have experienced at least once in their lifetime. Close to 12 million people in the US seeking outpatient medical care have been subject to misdiagnosis (Nanji et al., 2016). Diagnostic errors have been responsible for approximately 10% of patient deaths and demand keen attention (Nanji et al., 2016).

Misdiagnosis has adverse consequences. These consequences can have both financial and human impacts on the lives of people. Misdiagnosis significantly impacts individuals, business entities, and the economy in general. A report from the Institute of Medicine indicates that roughly $750 billion (30 % of finances allocated on annual healthcare) is misappropriated in wastefulness and superfluous services (Garrouste-Orgeas et al., 2012). Patients and businesses alike suffer from financial strains caused by misdiagnosis. The human cost of misdiagnosis is the harm it exposes patients to. In response to a survey, 64% of physicians said that 10% of misdiagnosis cases have directly harmed the patients (Garrouste-Orgeas et al., 2012). The conducted research will bring to understanding the concepts of information analysis from the adopted Information System and highlight the need to adapt to new technology to improve diagnosis and apply it to multispectral organizations. This paper will aim to develop an efficient and reliable Information System to eliminate misdiagnosis in healthcare facilities.

Perspectives in HMIS Emerging in the Recent Past

In the recent past, various inventions and innovations have emerged in the Health Management Information Systems. These innovations are aimed at improving service delivery in healthcare facilities and avoid problems such as misdiagnosis. Relevant and critical patient information has been collected and stored in an organized and secure manner (Nanji et al., 2016). This information has been analyzed in different devices such as health-fitness trackers, portable heart rhythm sensors, blood glucose monitors, and the information relayed on apps and other medical systems.

Personal health records are kept electronically, and this has enhanced healthcare. Patients who have subscribed to such services can quickly and safely access their health information from wherever they are at any time. They can also monitor their health and wellness using electronic monitors invented by technology companies. Healthcare professionals have access to patient information and have enough time to attend to their patients in time and effectively. Through these devices, abnormalities in health patterns can be automatically flagged, and patients attended to before the conditions become severe.