WGU D516
Understanding HIT Environment
Worksheet (Assignment 1)
Verified Submission
, Understanding HIT Environment Worksheet
(Assignment 1)
Instructions:
This worksheet will be used to recommend strategies for adopting a new HIT governance
plan to support the development and management of population health management
initiatives for Paducah Health Medical System (PHMS) as the organization transitions to a
value-based model. The worksheet includes the following components:
Goals and Priorities of Population Health Management
1. Describe how HIT systems improve care. As PHMS transitions toward a value-
based model through its affiliation with Lourdes Hospital, how will the new HIT
system support improved care coordination between teams and across
departments?
As PHMS transitions to a value-based model, the use of health information
technology (HIT) will allow vast improvements in care coordination. The use of
electronic health records (EHRs) alone offers several advantages, such as: reduced
paperwork, more accurate and timely distribution of information, better
coordination of care by providers, reduction of unnecessary tests and procedures
and offering the patient direct access to their own medical record (ONC, ND). The
use of EHRs lead to better care coordination in many ways as well. By using an
EHR, there is more standardized data and care plans, sharing of best practices and
evidenced-based care through telemedicine, more expedient and simpler disease
management (ONC, ND).
2. Identify the role of HIT in quality improvement. How will the new HIT system
facilitate enhanced development of continuous quality improvement programs?
HIT in Quality improvement has shown to support providing access to trustworthy
data in a timely manner (Tolf, Söderberg, Mesterton, Amer-Wåhlin, & Mazzocato, 2020).
HIT in QI can also result in improved care processes and patient outcomes (Higgins,
et al., 2015).
3. Evaluate HIT systems and patient engagement. How will the new HIT system
support each of the following outcomes?:
increased patient use of technology and patient access to data
improved care continuity through electronic communication with providers
coordinated patient-centered care across the organization
a. Access to personal health records aids patients in understanding their own care
and treatment better. Technology will give patients the ability to request refills,
join virtual learning meetings, view lab and test results, health records, after visit
summaries, doctor notes, etc.
b. The use of electronic communication will address the gaps in care whether
patients are in or out of the office setting. Providers can remain engaged with their
patients, even when they haven’t had a visit in a while. This may even help get
them to begin a self-care routine and in compliance with recommendations.
Understanding HIT Environment
Worksheet (Assignment 1)
Verified Submission
, Understanding HIT Environment Worksheet
(Assignment 1)
Instructions:
This worksheet will be used to recommend strategies for adopting a new HIT governance
plan to support the development and management of population health management
initiatives for Paducah Health Medical System (PHMS) as the organization transitions to a
value-based model. The worksheet includes the following components:
Goals and Priorities of Population Health Management
1. Describe how HIT systems improve care. As PHMS transitions toward a value-
based model through its affiliation with Lourdes Hospital, how will the new HIT
system support improved care coordination between teams and across
departments?
As PHMS transitions to a value-based model, the use of health information
technology (HIT) will allow vast improvements in care coordination. The use of
electronic health records (EHRs) alone offers several advantages, such as: reduced
paperwork, more accurate and timely distribution of information, better
coordination of care by providers, reduction of unnecessary tests and procedures
and offering the patient direct access to their own medical record (ONC, ND). The
use of EHRs lead to better care coordination in many ways as well. By using an
EHR, there is more standardized data and care plans, sharing of best practices and
evidenced-based care through telemedicine, more expedient and simpler disease
management (ONC, ND).
2. Identify the role of HIT in quality improvement. How will the new HIT system
facilitate enhanced development of continuous quality improvement programs?
HIT in Quality improvement has shown to support providing access to trustworthy
data in a timely manner (Tolf, Söderberg, Mesterton, Amer-Wåhlin, & Mazzocato, 2020).
HIT in QI can also result in improved care processes and patient outcomes (Higgins,
et al., 2015).
3. Evaluate HIT systems and patient engagement. How will the new HIT system
support each of the following outcomes?:
increased patient use of technology and patient access to data
improved care continuity through electronic communication with providers
coordinated patient-centered care across the organization
a. Access to personal health records aids patients in understanding their own care
and treatment better. Technology will give patients the ability to request refills,
join virtual learning meetings, view lab and test results, health records, after visit
summaries, doctor notes, etc.
b. The use of electronic communication will address the gaps in care whether
patients are in or out of the office setting. Providers can remain engaged with their
patients, even when they haven’t had a visit in a while. This may even help get
them to begin a self-care routine and in compliance with recommendations.
