Healthcare Law and Informatics

Healthcare Law and Informatics

Southern New Hampshire University

Abstract

Without our current healthcare laws that are pushing for adoption of an electronic health records system, our healthcare system would not be nearly as effective, productive or cost efficient as we have seen recently. Over the last decade, more and more providers are adopting the use of health information technology, thanks to laws and incentive programs that have been enacted by Presidents Bush and Obama. The HITECH Act, ARRA, and the Meaningful Use incentive programs have helped to guide providers in the right direction when it comes to embracing this use of technology. The goal of using EHRs is to improve the quality of care for the patient, increase productivity and efficiency in the healthcare system and ultimately cut costs for all involved. The widespread use of health informatics is greatly making over our healthcare system and will continue to do so as technology continues to develop.

The current healthcare laws in place have set the stage for informatics in the healthcare field. Without the United States government and related governing agencies and committees to manage our health care laws, our health care system would not be nearly as proficient as it is today. The laws and acts that have been enacted over time have built the framework of a growing healthcare system and have guided the field towards being more technologically involved, in turn, making it more productive and effective than ever before.

Positive outcomes from implementing electronic health records and health information technology include improved productivity, efficacy, and ultimately, quality of care. EHRs are available at a moment’s notice; therefore they reduce patients’ wait times, cut down on redundant and unnecessary testing, assist in medical decision making, and lessen complications in billing (Kudyba, 2010). EHRs also allow for patients to be transferred to see particular specialists without...