WEEK 3
Opportunities for Improvement with Usability and Interoperability (graded)
Usability and interoperability are major issues to consider in the
... [Show More] development of healthcare
information systems (HIS). How does your organization address these issues? Does the transfer of
information occur smoothly, or do you need to re-enter data from one application to the next—such
as patient information from the emergency room that does not transfer—along with the patient who
is admitted to the critical care unit? Or what happens when the patient is discharged and the home
care nurses have to start from scratch as they prepare the patient’s plan of care?
Respond
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Collapse Mark as Read Usability and Interoperability Deborah Scott Email this Author
1/18/2015 10:30:36 AM
I work in a large University system, and we use EPIC, which to me is very user friendly. I work in the
Psych hospital, which is in an off-site campus. We have multiple out-patient physician offices and
clinics all over town, as well as several other Emergency rooms that are off-site. We have several
large hospital buildings, on opposite sides of the main streets, and everyone is linked via EPIC. All
patient data is entered, and verified, and goes throughout the system from one site to another. Even
if the patient is discharged, their information remains in the system and can be pulled back up. We
have had several patients (I work with child/adolescent), that have come back after a recent
discharge, and we pull their information back up, along with all their notes from physician and even
admitting data. I have had to personally be on the receiving end lately, being in the emergency
department twice this past fall, once for a broken wrist and another requiring 5 stitches in my finger.
Everything goes very smoothly and efficiently. All of the medications are in there, along with
allergies, and updated with every MD visit or ED visit. As far as home care, that I'm uncertain of, but I
have a feeling that there is a way that they can effectively access their records through this system,
also.
I had to come up to Northern KY, from Florida, last week due to a major illness with my mother, and
while she was in the hospital I noticed that they also use EPIC. I didn't talk with them about how they
liked it, as the only ones that seem very friendly are the NA, and I have too much to do with my
mother right now and trying to find placement, but I did think it was interesting, nonetheless.
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Collapse Mark as Read RE: Usability and Interoperability Robyn Woodman Email this
Author 1/20/2015 11:20:57 AM
Deborah,
I'm so sorry to hear about your mother. I hope she gets better soon. Yes, I agree that EPIC is very
user friendly. Is your institution linking with other institutions? I think it's so interesting to see
inforation in EPIC saying there is more information available in the Care Everywhere area. I like that I
can review information while another person is charting at the same time.
Take care,
Robyn
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Collapse Mark as Read RE: Usability and Interoperability Deborah Scott Email this
Author 1/20/2015 6:52:39 PM
Robyn,
We have a couple hospitals within our system that we are able to link up, and another hospital not
within our system. They have an older HIS system and we cannot link with them. We now have the
ability, as patients, to see our labs, send our doctors messages and make appointments, all through a
sister system.
I do hope that one day soon we may have the ability to interface with all institutions in our city.
Respond
Collapse Mark as Read RE: Usability and Interoperability Sarah Lewis Email this
Author 1/20/2015 8:45:47 PM
Deborah,
I hope it goes easy for you with your mom, and she is feeling better soon.
Your system sounds wonderful. You would think the government would get on board but we are still
using a WWII system (exaggerating) but that is what it feels like. If all systems in every city linked up
(within the city) you could identify those frequent visitors looking for drugs.
I just keep praying the govt. will catch on.
Thanks,
Sarah
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Collapse Mark as Read RE: Usability and Interoperability Tifanee Clark Email this
Author 1/20/2015 9:50:11 PM
I agree that if the systems are all linked together that it can make everything run so much smoother
such as: when a patient sees the doctor and they order a MRI buy entering the information in the
computer system. The Imaging department can instantly pull this information up and schedule an
appointment with the patient. Makes the transitions smoother and quicker.
Respond
Collapse Mark as Read RE: Usability and Interoperability Deborah Scott Email this
Author 1/21/2015 5:51:22 PM
Sarah and Tifanee [Show Less]