HIMEDIC

Health Care Informatics - Next Steps for "The Health State"

The concept of comprehensive health care data sharing is crucial for effective Medical Informatics - the study and application of computer technologies to health care. Such information sharing presents immediate and intuitive benefit as well as daunting obstacles that have long been recognized. Individuals and organizations, such as physician groups, The Hawaii Medical Association, The Hawaii Health Information Corp., The Hawaii Outcomes Institute, The Hawaii Medical Services Association, private insurers, business groups, and City, State, and Federal Government institutions have been working over the years toward the functionality that is being suggested here. New and emerging technologies bring energy and motivation to the effort as these enabling developments bring the goal much closer to our grasp. Emerging information technology developments, such as broadband, reliable, affordable Internet access, the development and deployment of electronic medical record systems, the growth of Application Service Providers (ASP), and the explosion in biotechnology research and applications effect a change in the status quo. We are compelled to look seriously at these new opportunities as they have far reaching potential effects on health care, education, research, and the economic development of our State.

The Healthcare industry is unstable, costs soar, medical errors occur at an unacceptable rate, providers and insurers debate over reimbursement, employers chafe at the cost of health insurance, the rural underserved seek access to specialty care, the economically disadvantaged seek any care at all. Health care information management promotes better health care management overall and can mitigate many of these effects.

Information technology brings a whole spectrum of potential improvements to health care safety, accuracy, and efficiency.

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