Healthcare informatics is a term used to describe the use of Information Technology in healthcare to help provide safer quality care to patients. The Electronic Medical Record (EMR) / Electronic Health Record (EHR) play a major role in Informatics. I currently work as EMR Support in our Clinical Informatics Department. Our department is responsible for working with the clinicians to help improve the EMR. We also train all new physicians and provide support. We facilitate workgroups to analyze workflow, design and implement requested changes to help improve clinical outcomes for our patients".

 

Michele: Why do you think it is an interesting time to enter health informatics?

Stephanie:Oh my gosh, I love that question! Healthcare is flooded with new technology every day and the expectation is that this technology will improve patient care. I feel that Informatics plays a large role in helping to design and implement safer technologies and that with our participation our patients will be on the receiving end of safer quality care. 

 

Michele:  How is health informatics changing healthcare operations and patient care?

Stephanie: Informatics is bridging the gap between technology and patient care. Think about it Michele, Clinical Informatics wants to help enhance clinical outcomes through the integration of evidence based practice guidelines in collaboration with clinicians in the development of technologies which promote safe, efficient, effective and patient-centered care. I know patient safety has always been on the forefront for you too!
 

Michele:  You got that right Steph! So given the growing concern about hackers and security breaches, what types of protocols are in place to help ensure that patient information is safe?

Stephanie: Security of information is great concern in today’s world. HIPPA was enacted to help keep our patient’s information safe. Clinical informatics isn’t responsible for the technologies that are put in place to help meet the HIPPA guidelines but as healthcare workers we are all responsible to do our part. We can be careful with protected patient information by following the security policies put in place. Some simple ways we can help would include things like not sharing passwords, not leaving computers with sensitive information where others can see or access, not sending patient information in an unsecure transmission, and so on…..

 

Michele: Are there any particular technologies that you are excited about? If so, why?

Stephanie: I am personally excited by the thought of a true Health Information Exchange (HIE) which will allow all of a patient’s healthcare provider access to all of their healthcare information across the continuum. Through the sharing of health information across the continuum of care we hope to ultimately help repeat testing and help improve time to diagnosis and treatment for all patients. 

 

Michele: How has the Affordable Care Act’s mandate for electronic medical records affected the field of health informatics?

Stephanie:  In a rush to meet these mandates EMR/EHR’s were implemented without a true baseline of how their use would impact the end-users. Usability has been the biggest challenge in the healthcare field. If a system isn’t easy to use providers will resist and the information inputted will not be useful and could ultimately cause harm instead of having the intended effect of improving quality of care.

 

Michele:  Steph, In your opinion, what does the future hold for health informatics?

Stephanie: Health informatics is continuously changing just as healthcare and technology. The future in informatics is wide open and it will continue to grow and change as new technologies come along.

 

Michele:  What types of qualities and skills may be beneficial to a career in health informatics?

Stephanie:  In Clinical Informatics specifically having a strong clinical understanding is key to working with clinicians. Being able to communicate and understand both the technical aspects as well as the clinical will help to manage the clinician’s expectations when requests for changes to the system are made.

 

Michele:  What are the most challenging and gratifying aspects of your work, and why?

Stephanie: The most challenging aspect would be managing clinician expectations. Clinicians have wonderful ideas but sometimes they are not possible given the electronic medical record software that is being used. Just like any electronic device, there are limitations.  The most gratifying aspect would be seeing a new design implemented that really improves the workflow for clinicians. Our goal is to improve workflow and increase patient safety so when we are able to implement a new technology that really improves the overall process that is a win in my book.  

 

Michele: Do you have any advice for students who are thinking of pursuing their advanced degrees in the health informatics field?

Stephanie:  I would say find ways to become active at your current organization. Most facilities have committees or governing bodies that make decisions regarding EMR changes. We are always looking for clinicians to participate in workgroups that help design new charting elements or ones that need modifications. It may also be helpful to shadow an informatics nurse in order to get a better idea as to a day in the life.