Health Information Technology Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What is HIT?
Answer:
HIT stands for health information technology, which is using computers to store, protect, retrieve, and transfer information electronically within health care settings. Key elements of health IT include:
- Electronic health records for patients, in place of paper records.
- Secure electronic networks to deliver up-to-date records whenever and wherever the patient or clinician may need them.
- Electronic transmittal of medical test results to speed and streamline processing of those results by health care providers.
- Confidential access for consumers to their own personal health information online, as well as reliable web-based health information for consumers.
- Electronic - and more efficient - communication between patients and health care providers, and among different providers.
- Electronic prescribing of medications, treatments, and tests, to help avoid medical errors.
- Decision support systems to provide clinicians with up-to-the-minute information on best practices and treatment options.
- Electronic devices like handheld computers to make information available at the point of care.
Source: AHRQ National Resource Center for Health Information Technology, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2005.
Question: What are the benefits of HIT?
Answer:
HIT is working to improve the quality, safety, and effectiveness of health care. HIT systems can help ensure that physicians and other health care professionals have the most current information about the condition they are treating. HIT systems improve quality of care by avoiding duplication and medical errors. Because many patients receive care from multiple health care providers, HIT works to ensure efficient, coordinated, and secure information exchange. Also, through the use of HIT, researchers may learn more quickly about new treatments and therapies.
Question: What is an electronic health record?
Answer:
The electronic health record (EHR) makes complete medical information about a patient available to the clinician at the point of care, without requiring the patient to fill out paper forms. In general, the EHR includes the patient's medication and immunization history, laboratory results, radiographs, family history, and other medical history.
Question: How can HIT be used in rural communities?
Answer:
Residents in rural communities frequently face barriers to getting good, appropriate care when needed because physicians, hospitals, and other providers are in short supply. The goals of HIT in rural communities are to build telemedicine & telehealth networks, improve patient safety & satisfaction, and foster community partnerships for health information exchange.
Question: Where can I find funding for Health Information Technology initiatives?
Answer: Few grants specifically state they will fund HIT initiatives supporting the expenditures of hardware, software and training necessary for the implementation and use of electronic health records, e-prescribing, computerized provider order entry (CPOEs), electronic transmittal of medical tests, and decision support systems, to name a few. There are several grants that will support health care quality, patient safety, health care access, workforce training programs, and controlling the cost of health care. Grants supporting these initiatives may not state specifically they fund HIT; however, HIT is seen as a solution to improve these health care initiatives. The following federal organizations and agencies may offer grant opportunities that support HIT efforts.
Question:
I found a grant offered by an agency that I think will work for my project but the grant announcement says little about HIT. How can I be sure it will support an HIT project?
Answer: Always contact the agency or organization responsible for the program if you have questions on HIT initiatives and expenditures. Some grants may support HIT efforts but they will have restrictions on how the money can be spent and what the overall percentage of the budget or allotment can be used for HIT expenditures.
Credits
Source:. AHRQ National Resource Center for Health Information Technology, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2005.
Last revised 11/05/2009
