Health Information Technology: Analysis of Impacts and Limitations

This report examines the impact of health information technology (IT) on healthcare services and the advantages and limitations of Point-of-Care Technologies (PoCT). The report discusses how health IT, including tools like I-human, enhances patient care by improving efficiency and compliance with guidelines. It also explores the role of Tele-Health and cloud-driven platforms in expanding access to care. The second part of the report focuses on PoCT devices, analyzing their benefits in terms of efficiency in OPD departments, such as single-window clearance for basic tests like blood pressure and glucose levels. It also addresses the limitations of PoCT, emphasizing that results from devices like blood glucose monitors are for representational purposes and should not be solely relied upon for critical care. The report references existing research and guidelines, highlighting the ongoing evolution of health IT and its impact on patient care.

Question 1
The impact of health information technology has the potential to change the service and care
standards of the Health industry. The positive impacts of the inclusion of the technology can be
adjudged both directly and indirectly on the health outcomes of the patients. Machines attached
to the health information technology increases the attention span of nursing experts by giving
him an additional tool to keep a constant watch on certain conditions (Andrew, 2014).
The inclusion of monitoring tools like I-human and others increases the compliances of an
average practitioner with the guidelines of the practice and decreases the margin of the errors
quite considerably. The inclusion of the machines in the process is also increasing the capacity
of various health units by bringing down the times attached to various subsidiary processes of
record maintenance etc. The inclusion of health information technology can increase the carrying
capacity of a unit quite considerably. Under the current theories, concepts like Tele-Health
services and cloud-driven interaction platforms are sharing the burdens of the diagnostic experts
and other caregivers. This penetration of the services is increasing the density of the care for an
average patient. This increase in the density along with increased compliance with the guidelines
is acting as a support system for the service providers and bringing in some positive health
outcomes.
Question 2
The advantage and limitations of the Point of Care Technologies in a clinical setup

The use of PoCT based devices is an issue of debate among the experts of the medical fraternity.
Some of them feel that PoCT devices can leave some serious lapses in the job of monitoring
because most of them are not accurate enough in comparison with existing manual methods that
demand the expertise and special attention of an expert. Over the years many experiments have
been done in this regard and the gist of this experiment gave rise to a set of evidence-based
practices. These practices are now serving as the guidelines for PoCT driven tools (Todorovic,
2014).
Under the current theories and the guidelines issued by the medical authorities, Point of care
technologies can be used as an indicator to promote a patient to the next level of the treatment.
The results obtained from various tools like blood glucose monitor, urine dipsticks, blood
pressure instruments, pregnancy kits, and Rapid HIV tests are valid only for representational
purposes. They are not accurate results. According to the guidelines these results cannot be
trusted for intense care and accuracy during critical situations.
PoCT based solutions at the same time are adding efficiency in the jobs of the individuals
working in the OPD departments of various establishments. The biggest advantages associated
with these tools are related to the “ single window clearance” of the primary formalities. For
instance, while preparing a case paper a semi-skilled staffer can mention necessary values like
the Blood pressure count, Blood Glucose count and pregnancy status etc.
In the past, it was a tedious job for a patient to visit various counters for getting these tests done.
PoCT driven device has this capacity to shed the load from the other departments so that they
can focus more on serious patients.

References
Andrew, J. (2014). Existing and Emerging Technologies for Point-of-Care Testing. PMC ,
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4204237/.
Todorovic, M. (2014). 5 Things You Need To Know About The Point-Of-Care Technology
Market. Med Device Online, https://www.meddeviceonline.com/doc/things-you-need-to-
know-about-the-point-of-care-technology-market-0001.