If you have ever owned a computer or a cellphone, then you realize the speed at which technology evolves. Technology that is new and flashy today will be old and obsolete tomorrow. This evolution of technology is true in all sectors, even health care. Because of the complexity, privacy issues, and need for a seamless transition to upgraded systems, it’s a good idea to understand the lifecycle of health information technology.
Understanding That There Is A Need For Change
The basis to begin upgrading to newer systems stems from identifying a problem that newer technology is better suited to solve. Mapping current processes to clearly identify the problem allows visualization of how new technology corrects the issue. A consensus of all parties involved should be reached after considering all available options.
Choosing The System
Once a rough idea of the type of system that solves the issue has been decided upon, the final decision of the exact system to implement can be made. This final decision should be based on a system that best serves and fits the goals of the organization, but that also meets clinical needs.
Planning
Getting things up and running starts with planning. Staying flexible yet targeted is the key to a swift and successful implementation. Suppliers need to be contacted, infrastructure for the new health system needs to be developed, and employees need to be trained to use the new system. It’s also necessary to choose the right pacs solutions to integrate with the new system to have things run as smoothly as possible.
Introducing new health information technology into an existing health organization is a bold and complicated process. Healthcare workers become accustomed to the tools that they work with. This makes them more efficient in their duties. Upgrades, though necessary, interrupt the fluidity of the work process. Careful planning, however, can lessen the time it takes to have the organization operating with the new system in a manner the is equal or better than how things ran with the old one.