This paper provides a visual presentation of information about the three systems that are used at Kendall Regional Medical Center. The use of these systems was unknown to me. That is why I had to speak with an expert to collect all the necessary information.
Telemedicine System (TMS)
Description
Wu (2015) describes telemedicine as “the exchange of medical information from one site to another through electronic communications” (para. 2). The primary objective of telemedicine is to ensure faster and more effective service provision for the improvement of the patient’s health.
Importance
Potentially, the importance of TMS could be high but today the researchers have limited data concerning its effectiveness and results (Hjelm, 2006).
Impact on patient care
When implemented correctly, TMS can make a significant positive contribution to the care provision in terms of its speed, timeliness, and quality (Hjelm, 2006).
Advantages
Allow providing new types of care that were not available previously, speeds up the operations, reduces the consumption of resources and costs, improves patient experience, ensures better collaboration between different professionals.
Challenges
Dependent on the unstable Wi-Fi connection.
Confidentiality
If not well-protected may lead to the loss of patient information and breach of privacy.
Laboratory Information Systems (LISs)
Description
As defined by Henricks (2014), LISs are “interrelated programs and hardware that provide electronic data processing and information management functions necessary for laboratory operations” (p. 4).
Importance
LISs are of extreme importance for an institution because they are responsible for all the lab data used by many professionals as the basis of the assigned treatments and professional decision-making (Henricks, 2014).
Impact on patient care
Laboratory information systems are crucial for patient care because they store the most important patient information required for the establishment of diagnoses and planning of future treatment (Rouse, 2016).
Advantages
Maximizes the efficiency of operations involving work with the lab results, organizes the storage and input of data, allows easier and faster access to data, is used by professionals from many different fields and specializations.
Challenges
Vulnerable to blackouts and system errors.
Confidentiality
In the cases of security breaches, the data stored becomes exposed to confidentiality threats.
Pharmacy Dispensing Systems
Description
Pharmacy dispensing systems are the means of medication management that enable healthcare institutions to dispense medications near the areas where they are administered and of use. These systems serve the medical facilities to ensure the provision of drugs closer to the points where they are used.
Importance
Pharmacy dispensing systems are important because they ensure the appropriate medication management for better patient safety, optimization of the nurses’ work, and the reduction of the operation costs (Pharmacy, 2015).
Impact on patient care
Pharmacy dispensing systems improve the level of patient safety making it easier for the patients to manage their treatment and purchase correct drugs. Besides, the systems remove this type of operation from the nurses enabling them to take over the other patient care tasks.
Advantages
Eliminates the errors related to medication administration and management, allows tracking of drugs dispensed on the territory of the institution, optimizes inventory management, makes workflow more efficient, prevents (or monitors) violations (Pharmacy, 2015).
Challenges
Lack of personal attention when the patients have to interact with the machines instead of actual medical professionals administrating their drugs.
Confidentiality
Pharmacy dispensing systems are not associated with the confidentiality risks and breaches of privacy.
References
Henricks, W. H. (2014). LIS Basics: CP and AP LIS Design and Operations.
Hjelm, N. M. (2006). Benefits and drawbacks of telemedicine.
Pharmacy. (2015).
Rouse, M. (2016). Laboratory information system. Web.
Wu, B. (2015). What Are the Benefits and Advantages of Telemedicine?