Getting the Right Information to the Right People

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By Pat Stricker, RN, M Ed
SVP of Clinical Services
TCS Healthcare Technologies

The advent of health IT (HIT) systems has transformed the health care industry. Leveraging technology to improve medical management intervention strategies should remain a high priority in terms of both improving patient outcomes and reducing medical costs. These applications are ever-evolving tools that support care management. Clearly, HIT applications are changing the practice of care management in profound ways.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), "Health information technology (health IT) makes it possible for health care providers to better manage patient care through secure use and sharing of health information."  By utilizing available HIT, providers are better able to diagnose health problems sooner, reduce errors and coordinate the care they give.

Keeping the patient, family, caregivers, and the entire health care team in different settings aware of all the care coordination needs of a patient is a major challenge. Health care barriers need to be broken down and all providers need to work together as a collaborative team for the good of the patient. This requires commitment, communication, and teamwork.

Interestingly, health information technology fulfills an important role in supporting this communication, teamwork, and all aspects of patient transitions of care. With so many aspects of care coordination to think about, case managers need to have a care management system that helps them assess, plan, implement, track, facilitate, and document key aspects of a patient’s care.

It is increasingly important that the right information be available at the right time to the right people to support health management and patient care. For the sake of being forward-thinking, data content and the quality of the data are going to be an integral part of the interconnected health care system of the future.  Having the proper health history and detailed care plan available are essential to managing the ongoing care of a patient. In addition to improving the quality of care and reducing costs, the utilization of health IT also supports and improves medication management and self-management of chronic diseases.  Many factors come into play when thinking about the ideal process for transitioning a patient from one care setting to another. Communication between patients, providers, and hospitals is key to having an organized health care system, and capitalizing on HIT is an excellent way to improve communication.

HIT use allows caregivers to communicate quickly with hospitals, providers, and most importantly, with patients and their families.  Incorporating HIT into the care continuum allows health care providers to offer a safer and more comprehensive system to treat patients, keep accurate records, improve outcomes, and educate patients and caregivers about their health and treatment plans.  

To contact Pat Stricker:

Email her at pstricker@tcshealthcare.com or
reach her by phone at (530) 886-1700 ext. 215.

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