Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Technology Advancements in Healthcare

Communication barriers seem to be the leading cause of errors in the healthcare system. Missing documentation, illegible scribbling and miscommunication are all factors within patient charts and information. Technology such as electronic health records (EHR) allow for all of a patient’s information to be in one location and available across Canada. The electronic records make it easier to read and organize client information as well. Personal Digital Assistances (PDAs) are very useful bed side tools to remember client information, look up terms and information, and share and transfer important information between nurses and healthcare professionals. Technology such as these are revolutionizing healthcare communication and allowing for great strides in organization, regulation and communication.

1 comment:

bonecho said...

Sounds good in theory but what about the human factor in entering of information. For example two drugs which sound and are spelled similarily, but have totally different uses, ie Quinine and Quinidine.

The other interesting issue is the confidentiality of patient information. Sharing of information via technology increases the potential of breach of security allowing for abuses/violation against individual patients at a time when they are most vulnerable.