Currently, information systems process a range of healthcare data, inclusive of diagnostic, procedural, public health and research, which are streamlined for efficient processing and storage of data. However, the dynamic evolution of healthcare prevention, treatment and standardization is now merging various key objectives into a conglomerate of healthcare delivery. Chronic and acute clinical practices are integrated with population-based assessments and methodologies. Distinct and unique information systems have been sufficient in managing separate components of healthcare delivery, but this is changing as the definition of separation softens to include the blend of the private and public influences of medical policy and treatment dissemination.
The Customization of Information Systems
It is an interesting paradigm to illustrate that these distinct information systems can evolve into a common hybrid of data systems that maintains the exclusivity of the healthcare data being processed, but has allowances to collaborate with the merging healthcare environment. In a traditional sense, payer information systems and data platforms have been developed to capture and process vast amounts of information ending in reporting and archiving. With the evolving complexities of healthcare information management, there is anticipation that payer data platforms will incorporate disease and provider-specific channeling and storage. Customized data platforms can enhance treatment implications including early indicators for management of chronic diseases while enhancing cost effectiveness of patient treatment and reimbursement. Additionally, this increased provider and disease specification among data processing systems will enable more partnering between private and public healthcare sectors.
Complexity of Information Simplifies Healthcare Communication
A short term perspective of the specification and customization of healthcare information systems presents complex challenges that will entail diligence in monitoring and modifications to ensure that initial objectives match outcomes inherent to an upgrade of informational systems. However, as all organizations share and learn in this process, the long term perspective will present simplicity in collaboration among all healthcare delivery entities. Apparent enhancements will include common formatting of data, efficient methods of information exchange, and baseline of quality and performance indicators that will incorporate public health standards into various types of healthcare delivery systems.
