Current Information and Communication Technologies

Information and communication technologies that is ICT is seen to have great advantages when being used in the health sector. Usage of latest communication technologies in healthcare centers has promoted the improvement of patients' outcome and the quality of healthcare. Like the use of electronic health records is used to keep the medical history of a patient (Vaishnavi & Kuechler, 2015). Moreover, the technology is essential and has been used to store relevant data about patients in good condition.

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There are also impacts that ICT that is electronic health record has on the healthcare quality. The impacts are; reduced cases of medical error due to its increased accuracy of data storage thus it ensures data clarity. Second, it enhances proper prescription since it is done via e-prescription and unlike manual prescription, this is reliable, safer and accurate. Third, data about patients is available all the time thus facilitating the making of proper decisions that will enhance improved healthcare. Lastly, EHR eases follow up access for patients with a specialist since referrals are done electronically. That will thus enhance quality healthcare for patients by promoting good relationships between nurses and fellow health workers and their patients (Yang., et al., 2015). All practices in healthcare centers are made easy and efficient since nurses can acquire all the information they require thus the time and resources that could be used are saved.

However, there are barriers that hinder the usage of ICT in healthcare which are; misinterpretation and miscommunication between the users of the technology and vendors. That occurs because of slow adoption or total lack of adoption of technology. Another is the organizations lack the readiness to transform to during new technology implementation (Yang., et al., 2015). Also, the resistance of health care providers to adopt the technology is a source of hindrance.

Adoption of ICT in hospitals can be facilitated by getting proper information concerning the technology to the technology users from the doctors that gives emphasis of using technology. The information being provided should also explain how the staff in the health organizations should use the technology in ensuring that their roles are fully accomplished like the pharmacists, nurses and lab technicians (Hollis., et al., 2015).

References

Hollis, C., Morriss, R., Martin, J., Amani, S., Cotton, R., Denis, M., & Lewis, S. (2015). Technological innovations in mental healthcare: harnessing the digital revolution.

Vaishnavi, V. K., & Kuechler, W. (2015). Design science research methods and patterns: innovating information and communication technology. Crc Press.

Yang, J. J., Li, J., Mulder, J., Wang, Y., Chen, S., Wu, H., ... & Pan, H. (2015). Emerging information technologies for enhanced healthcare. Computers in Industry, 69, 3-11.