America is a leader in technology. The world benefits from many innovations created by the nation’s entrepreneurs. While the healthcare system has some of the most advanced medical technologies, many doctors and hospitals use an outdated system for keeping patient records to the detriment of all patients. The paper filing of records is not only costly to the entire healthcare system but costs lives. Every year, thousands of errors are made processing paperwork because doctors cannot view complete patient histories when diagnosing individuals. Health Information Technology (Health IT) helps eliminate unnecessary and outdated paper-based system. Nevada hosted more than 51 million visitors last year, and, because the state’s economy relies on tourism, implementing Health IT is much more important.
There are countless examples of how information technology has saved money, time and reduced errors. Credit cards are used around the world, and banks are able to calculate currency differences. Instantly, navigation devices in vehicles can help tourists maneuver through traffic, and emails can be received on a handheld device in almost any corner of the earth. Yet, a doctor in Nevada attempting to save the life of an accident victim from New York is hampered by his inability to access the patient’s medical history. Health IT is the solution.
Many individuals faced with diseases and conditions that require more than one doctor, are forced to fill out paperwork at multiple locations, multiple times. Having an electronic copy of health records will save time, reduce errors and lower costs by eliminating cumbersome paperwork. This simple fix will immediately show results. This is just the beginning of how Health IT can lower healthcare costs, save lives and valuable time.
Studies have found that nearly $300 billion is spent on healthcare that does not improve patient outcomes. This is money spent on unnecessary or ineffective treatments. Health IT can help reduce this number by allowing doctors to view a patient’s medical history and review what the best practices would be in helping the patient. A reduction in this spending will ultimately lower costs for patients and allow doctors to provide better care.
By utilizing e-prescribing, doctors and pharmacists can reduce errors and save lives. As orders for prescriptions are being placed, computer programs will be available to double check and ensure that new orders will not cause adverse reactions to other medication patients are currently taking. This technology exists but needs to be implemented.
The benefits of Health IT extend across the country, including rural areas, as more individuals are traveling all over the world and sometimes need emergency care away from home. With an electronic health record, a doctor in a Nevada hospital would be able to determine what medications were being taken by a visitor from New York who was in a serious car accident. As a result, proper medication could be prescribed during this life-threatening emergency. During this small window for treatment, the inability to check a patient’s history could result in death if the patient is unable to communicate to the doctor medical allergies or medications currently being taken. If we implement these technologies, doctors will be able to provide improved medical care.
Health IT allows individuals to have a personal electronic health record. This record could look like a credit card or already exist in a system accessible by a doctor with permission to help properly diagnose a patient. This legislation would put doctors on a standard, coordinated and secure computer system.
Fortunately, work is being done in Nevada to implement electronic medical records into our community health centers. Research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, is helping lead the way by exploring how to put this concept into practice and promoting the benefits Health IT can deliver. From Carson City to Las Vegas and West Wendover, these advancements will help reform our healthcare system. Affordable, accessible and available healthcare is something we should all work toward.