Computerization in various areas of knowledge has become an ally of companies. In the health area, this fact is no different, as technology represents a breakthrough in the field of hospital management. Information technology, adopted in recent years, is responsible for many benefits, both for the hospital and for patients and health professionals who work there.
Management software, computerized medical records, and even scheduling software are all features that contribute to improved care quality and cost savings. Check out some advantages and the importance of using technology in hospital management:
Comprehensive view of internal processes
The presence of hospital management software is advantageous because it provides a global view of all the institution’s internal processes. This integral view allows for an optimization of administrative procedures. Information flow becomes faster when systems are in place to integrate medical and administrative services. These services include procedures ranging from appointment scheduling to account billing. This global view is beneficial not only in the area of management but also for staff, as it allows complete patient data to be accessed from any registered hospital computer. When a person comes to the emergency room with information technology and electronic medical records in the hospital, the whole process from hospitalization to procedures is facilitated.
By assessing the previous history contained in the electronic medical record, the physician has access to important data such as previous surgeries, allergies and previous diseases. Comprehensive viewing of patient data also avoids communication problems between sectors and, once again, contributes to reduced working time. It is also worth remembering that computerized hospital management can provide statistics from data found in computerized medical records. Thus, it is possible to analyze indicators such as the volume of individuals served and which resources were used and in what quantities. In addition, information technology enables the assessment of prevalent diseases and drugs in greatest demand at that location. The comprehensive view of hospital processes allows the manager an objective assessment of the hospital routine. Thus, in view of the detection of failures or even demands from the hospital, some measures may be more directed, such as the creation of protocols that aim the progress of hospital processes more effectively and, consequently, that have a positive impact on the care of the hospital.
Reduced Costs
Information technology allows easier intermediation in the various sectors of the hospital. This fact contributes to the reduction of equipment, idleness and even professionals, which speeds up patients’ turnover. It should also be remembered that she is responsible for optimizing the time spent ordering exams or ordering certain drugs from the pharmacy.
Classic example illustrating this cost reduction: A doctor needs to evaluate previously requested test results. The time he would spend calling the lab center or even looking for someone in charge of this industry, compared to the time he would need to look for software that provides test results, is much longer. Thus, there would be a saving of working time, which he could use to treat the other patients and, consequently, increasing the hospital productivity in a shorter time.
Reliability and security in information access
The reliability of patient data when having a computerized system is due to the availability in a single database. Records in the electronic medical record and examinations, when standardized, also facilitate the search for past information. This database ranges from the registration of personal information to the availability of exams performed – both old and current – as well as information on hospitalizations and procedures performed previously. This data can be obtained through any device connected to the internet of the local server, which allows access to information through a login and password to open the programs. Thus, only authorized persons can view patient data. Remember also that digital certificates and backups are other security mechanisms for hospital records and make these systems more reliable.