Recent advances in medical imaging have led to many improvements in the diagnostic abilities of radiologists, including better health outcomes for patients and a decrease in expenses due to hospital readmissions. The number of repeated procedures has also declined with the help of PACS systems that store pertinent patient information on an easy-to-access viewing platform.
With the advent of technology such as Electronic Medical Records, health information technology has begun to have a positive impact on multiple facets of the health care industry. Recently, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT brokered a partnership with the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response with the hopes of increasing the use of health IT by EMTs and other first responders, Becker Hospital Review reported.
Responding to emergencies
When providers participate in health information exchange, the comprehensive medical history of patients can shared among disparate systems, which can benefit physicians working in fields such as Diagnostic Radiology. Better clinical decisions can be made when previous treatments and procedures are reviewable, informing doctors of any past care strategies that have been conducted. As providers seek to achieve this goal, they face numerous challenges even under normal health care scenarios.
However, it is even more difficult to get accurate pictures of medical histories in emergency situations where health information can be vital to patients’ lives. EMTs are an integral part of the health care system, but very few emergency services departments are connected to health information exchanges or EHR software systems, according to EHRIntelligence.
When patients are brought in via ambulance, the transition of care is one of the most important aspects of providing them with the adequate treatment for their condition. By making EMTs a full participant in the system of medical data sharing, the health care system could improve and result in better patient outcomes and experiences.
Collaborating for improvement
Together, the ONC and ASPR launched the ASPR Collaboration Community, which includes industry stakeholders that will handle the task of integrating health IT into EMS departments as its first project. As a group, the members will share ideas and practices that will provide better care coordination between medical facilities by upgrading the information exchange capabilities of EMTs.
“It’s our hope that Emergency Medical Services will become a full participant in the electronic exchange of health information. This would entail the regular and secure two-way exchange between EMS and other health care facilities and payers,” said ONC senior policy analyst Kevin Horahan, quoted by the news
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Ronny Bachrach
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