Module 6 lecture, part 3

Question 1

Definition of medical technology

Answer 1

The practical application of the scientific body of knowledge for the purpose of improving health and creating efficiencies in the delivery of HC

Question 2

Examples of medical tech

Answer 2

Application of organic chem to drugs and anesthetics
Physics to MRi
Computer science and communications to telemedicine
Nanotechnology to nanomedicine

Question 3

Changes d/t med tech

Answer 3

Heightened consumer expectations leads to increased demand and utilization
Many specialized svcs available in outpt settings
Fueled specialization in medicine
Specialization held in higher regard than primary care and PH
Assessment becoming crucial to evaluate the usefulness and safety of new tech
Complex social and ethical concerns

Question 4

What does IT do in relation to medical tech?

Answer 4

It deals with the gathering, storage, analysis, and transformation of data

Question 5

General categories of HC IT

Answer 5

Clinical information systems to support pt care delivery
Administration information systems to assist financial and administrative support activities
Decision support systems to support managerial and clinical decision-making

Question 6

Examples of HC IT

Answer 6

Medical records systems
Radiology and laboratory reporting systems
Pharmacy data systems
System to schedule space and personnel
Financial systems
Materials management systems

Question 7

What is health informatics?

Answer 7

The application of information science to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and reliability of HC svcs

Question 8

How does health informatics go beyond IT?

Answer 8

Emphasizes the improvement of HC

Question 9

Applications of health informatics

Answer 9

Clinical decision support system
Electronic health records
Telehealth

Question 10

Benefits of EHRs

Answer 10

Savings in HC costs
Reduced medical errors
Improved health

Question 11

Barriers to adoption of EHR

Answer 11

Capital costs
Uncertain ROI

Question 12

Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act’s (2009) incentives for EHR adoption

Answer 12

Financial incentives for “meaningful use” of health IT
Must meet a set of meaningful use objectives
Financial penalties for hospitals not meeting the meaningful use criteria from 2015
State Health Information Exchange Cooperative Agreement Program to facilitate the exchange of clinical info

Question 13

What do EHRs enable?

Answer 13

The processing of any electronically stored info pertaining to individual pts for the purpose of delivering HC svcs.

Question 14

What does the interoperability of EHRs enable?

Answer 14

Access to individual records online from many separate automated systems within an electronic network
It eliminates the need for letters and faxes to share a pt’s clinical information among providers.

Question 15

Characteristics of fully developed EHR systems

Answer 15

Collection and storage of health info on individual pts over time
Immediate electronic access to person and pop-level info by authorized users
Availability of knowledge and decision support that enhances the quality, safety, and efficiency of pt care
Support of efficient processes for HC delivery

Question 16

Describe HIPAA

Answer 16

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
Legal uses of personal medical information are limited to HC delivery, operations, and reimbursement
Orgs must devise methods to safeguard, transfer, and disclosure of personal health information

Question 17

Describe the revisions to HIPAA under HITECH in 2013

Answer 17

Venders and subcontractors must comply with HIPAA
Restrictions on the use of PHI for marketing
Pt authorization for the use of PHI in research
Use of genetic info for insurance underwriting
Pts have the right to receive electronic copies of their PHI

Question 18

Impacts of use of the internet and mobile devices

Answer 18

Pts becoming active participants in their own HC
Empowerment leads to change in physician-pt dynamics

Question 19

What is e-health?

Answer 19

All forms of electronic HC delivered over the Internet, including pts’ access to one’s own EHRs and email messages between pts and providers

Question 20

What is m-health?

Answer 20

Use of wireless communication devices to support PH and clinical practice

Question 21

What is e-therapy?

Answer 21

Professional therapeutic interactions with health professionals over the Internet

Question 22

What is a virtual physician visit?

Answer 22

Online clinical encounters btwn a pt and a physician. A type of telemedicine

Question 23

Telemedicine definition

Answer 23

Distant delivery of medical tx, including specialized services, such as teleradiology, telepathology, and telesurgery

Question 24

Synchronous telemedicine

Answer 24

Real time telecommunications

Question 25

Asynchronous telemedicine

Answer 25

Use of store-and-forward technology

Question 26

Barriers to telemedicine

Answer 26

Lack of a reimbursement model, unsubstantiated cost effectiveness