Healthcare Informatics: EHR Applications for the Outpatient Setting

Introduction:
Today's healthcare environment is comprised of teams of professionals working toward common goals. When the organization sets a goal, there is generally a project to launch and support the goal to its completion. Health informatics professionals are participants and leaders in projects involving the implementation of new technologies or in the training and maintenance that will take place after the technologies are in place. A project such as the adoption of an electronic health record (EHR) across a healthcare system takes significant planning, strong leadership, and the ability to manage change in the environment. Informatics professionals need to be skilled in all of the aspects of project management, including its evaluation and ongoing revisions, as the organization grows into everyday usage of the new technologies.
For this task, you will read the attached “EHR Project Management Team.”
Note: Responses to the tasks listed should be completed in an essay format (suggested length of 5–6 pages), with descriptions given to clarify conceptual understanding.
Task:
A. Examine elements of the vendor selection process by doing the following:
1. Justify how a cost-benefit analysis will help to focus the vendor selection process.
2. Discuss the difference between a request for information and request for proposal.
a. Explain why one might be preferred.
b. Explain why both may be used.
3. Identify the elements included in writing a request for proposal.
a. Determine who would be the contact person for gathering information on each element.
4. Discuss how you would establish a good working relationship with vendors and company representatives involved in the selection process for new technology.
B. List four functional electronic health record (EHR) applications needed by clinical end-users in the acute care setting.
1. Describe how each application may be used.
2. Identify specific human resources needed in the acute care setting to facilitate implementation of new technology, including training needs.
3. Discuss one strategy that might be used when introducing new technology to enable it to interoperate with old technology in the acute care setting.
C. List three functional electronic health record (EHR) applications needed by clinical end-users in the outpatient setting.
1. Explain how each functional electronic health record (EHR) application may be used.
2. Identify specific human resources needed in an outpatient setting to facilitate implementation of new technology.
D. Compare two models being used today in health information exchanges.
1. Describe benefits to developing health information exchanges.
2. Describe current challenges impacting more widespread implementation of health information exchanges.
E. Explain three factors to be considered by an organization in providing a personal health record to patients.
1. Identify two businesses or organizations outside of the scenario offering a personal health record service.
2. Identify three qualities of a personal health record which should be determined before its adoption.
F. When you use sources, include all in-text citations and references in APA format.
Note: When bulleted points are present in the task prompt, the level of detail or support called for in the rubric refers to those bulleted points.
Note: For definitions of terms commonly used in the rubric, see the Rubric Terms web link included in the Evaluation Procedures section.
Note: When using sources to support ideas and elements in a paper or project, the submission MUST include APA formatted in-text citations with a corresponding reference list for any direct quotes or paraphrasing. It is not necessary to list sources that were consulted if they have not been quoted or paraphrased in the text of the paper or project.
Note: No more than a combined total of 30% of a submission can be directly quoted or closely paraphrased from sources, even if cited correctly. For tips on using APA style, please refer to the APA Handout web link included in the General Instructions section.