Interoperable health
IT can improve individual patient care in numerous ways,
including:
-Complete, accurate, and searchable
health information, available at the point of diagnosis and
care, allowing for more informed decision making to enhance
the quality and reliability of health care delivery.
-More efficient and convenient
delivery of care, without having to wait for the exchange of
records or paperwork and without requiring unnecessary or
repetitive tests or procedures.
-Earlier diagnosis and
characterization of disease, with the potential to thereby
improve outcomes and reduce costs.
-Reductions in adverse events through
an improved understanding of each patient’s particular
medical history, potential for drug-drug interactions, or
(eventually) enhanced understanding of a patient's
metabolism or even genetic profile and likelihood of a
positive or potentially harmful response to a course of
treatment.
-Increased efficiencies related to
administrative tasks, allowing for more interaction with and
transfer of information to patients, caregivers, and
clinical care coordinators, and monitoring of patient care.
~Dr. David Blumenthal