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Date Added.: Jul 6, 2010;
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The integration of information technology into the health sector system of operations is generally referred to as ‘Health Information Technology’ – HIT.
HIT has led to an overall improvement in health care quality, safety and efficiency in the health care delivery system.
The health care sector is positively impacted by the use of electronic health records (EHRs), virtual healthcare teams, telemedicine, e-health grids and various specialist health care information systems.
EHRs facilitate easy communication of medical data between health care teams. In addition, the use of electronic health records (EHRs) has drastically reduced medical errors. The advantages of reducing medical errors include:
- Reduction in health care costs
- Increase in quality of health care delivery due to timely and accurate dissemination of information to health care providers
- Increase in administrative efficiency by reducing paperwork thus, increasing data processing accuracy as well as effectiveness.
Through the use of e-health grids, very large amount of data can be computerised and well managed for further information needs.
The use of health information systems (HIS) help to reduce operation cost by reducing duplication of data, time and efforts. In addition to this, HIS aided increase in operational efficiency, as well as capability to share data across multiple health care teams.
A major concern in the use of HIT is possible security issues and lack of complete privacy in utilising electronic health records.
See also
Advantages of Information Technology
Advantages of Information Technology in Education
Advantages of Information Technology in Business
