"We have the tools to begin a major transformation in American health care made possible through the creation of a secure, interoperable nationwide health information system...it provides the best opportunity for each patient to receive optimal care."
David Blumenthal, M.D., M.P.P.
National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
Read Dr. Blumenthal's full update, "Electronic Health Records and the 21st Century Health Care System"
Health information technology (HIT) allows comprehensive management of medical information and its secure exchange between health care consumers and providers. Broad use of HIT has the potential to improve health care quality, prevent medical errors, increase the efficiency of care provision and reduce unnecessary health care costs, increase administrative efficiencies, decrease paperwork, expand access to affordable care, and improve population health.
Interoperable HIT can improve individual patient care in numerous ways, including:
- Complete, accurate, and searchable health information, available at the point of diagnosis and care, allowing for more informed decision-making to enhance the quality and reliability of health care delivery.
- More efficient and convenient delivery of care, without having to wait for the exchange of records or paperwork, and without requiring unnecessary or repetitive tests or procedures.
- Earlier diagnosis and characterization of disease, with the potential to thereby improve outcomes and reduce costs.
- Reductions in adverse events through an improved understanding of each patient’s particular medical history, potential for drug-drug interactions, or (eventually) enhanced understanding of a patient's metabolism or even genetic profile and likelihood of a positive or potentially harmful response to a course of treatment.
- Increased efficiencies related to administrative tasks, allowing for more interaction with and transfer of information to patients, caregivers, and clinical care coordinators and monitoring of patient care.
