The state of California is on the verge of completely overhauling how it collects vital information on cancer patients. Pathologists from dozens of hospitals in the state are taking part in a pilot project that will ensure that, cancer diagnoses are done in real-time using Electronic Health Records (EHR). This transition will involve the use of standardized electronic systems to report accurate and consistent cancer diagnoses to the state’s registry.
The California Cancer Registry has so far collected data on over 4.5 million cancer patients over the years dating back to 1988. The recorded cancer diagnosis data includes the type of cancer, stage of that cancer, patient demographics, screening, initial treatment methods used, and eventual outcomes.
The Relevance Of Transformational Leadership Styles
Even though real-time reporting and the updating of cancer-related medical records is a daunting task, leaders will be able to inspire their staff using a transformational leadership approach1.
This involves behavioral transformation and intellectual stimulation. In turn, nurses follow the example of their leaders, by ensuring that all medical records are up-to-date and completed according to proper EHR procedures.
Not only does transformational leadership increase employee moral, but it has been associated with a reduction in medical errors (in 4 out of 5 studies) and lower patient mortality (in 3 of 6 studies). Nursing studies have shown that this type of leadership has been linked to increased patient satisfaction and lower staff turnover.
Implementation Of Real-Time Reporting
Real-time reporting could lead to making informed decisions when it comes to correctly directing patients to clinical trials, and starting them on appropriate treatment processes. If this system proves successful in California, it could easily be implemented to states all across the country and help the millions of Americans who are facing cancer.
Currently only 5% of cancer records are sent to the state registry in real time. In order to fast-track its implementation, California health officials have a plan that will work to see this figure improve to 10 percent, as early as next June. With proper implementation, 65% of medical records could be entered into the cancer registry by 2022. If oncologists had more access to real-time information, then they would be able to choose suitable treatment options for their patients.”
What Needs To Be Improved
Real-time reporting can revolutionize the medical field and works most efficiently with widespread implementation. Converting current information systems to Electronic Health Records (EHR) improves real-time reporting by overcoming basic communication issues such as: speed, security, accuracy and organization.
Electronic Health Records
EHRs are similar to the records used in the past decade except they are in a digital format which can be accessed through an online network. With the transition, health professionals and patients are beginning to see substantial improvements in their communication and treatment.
EHRs reduce frequent human errors by eradicating miscommunication. Instead of information passing from person to person, verbally or written, it is clearly entered by the health professional responsible.
EHRs also utilize active monitoring, a real-time method of tracking patients’ health patterns and preventative measure. Special programs are able to detect anomalies in patient health and care in order to quickly identify any issues, major or minor. They also improve public reporting and surveillance to prevent and cure any health issues in specific regions or groups of people.
Furthermore, EHRs increase instant and reliable communication over long distances. This makes health records available to health professionals anywhere in the world and increases patient care. They also help with transparency and increased security. Patients have easier access to their electronic records than they do to hard copies, but hard copies are much less secure and private than electronic records.
In addition to EHRs revolutionizing the way medical records are updated and stored, they allow more precise details to be added about a patient’s disease or injury. For example, a recent study has shown that pneumonia patients admitted that using EHRs helped them experience a 35% lower chance of adverse drug events, 34% lower chance of acquiring infections and a 25% lower chance of general adverse health effects.
Upgrading Internal Communication With HIS
Hospital Information Systems (HIS) is a computer system that manages all hospital information, allowing health care providers to carry out their jobs effectively. This includes the integration of all administrative, clinical, and financial applications.
A HIS can improve internal communication through a few benefits. First, they assume responsibility for planning and scheduling, provide real-time information and coordinate core hospital services. Basically reducing human error and miscommunication by streamlining any inter-office communication and services rendered2.
Second, HISs put the patient first. Hospital systems have swayed over time to focus on providers and the needs of healthcare professionals. While they are important, HISs realign the priorities to once again offer the best service possible to patients. They can accomplish this by taking the stress and certain duties off employees, granting them more time to spend with the patient.
Third, HISs nurture a culture of organization. A workplace patterned with organization and efficient communication reduces errors and time wasted, critical obstacles to overcome in the medical field. They also integrate physicians on almost every level of patient care. Physicians need to be aware of their patient’s health, location, developing information, treatments given and any improvements or issues felt within a certain period of time. With HISs, doctors can be more informed about patients or at least have easy and quick access to any necessary information needed to make decision at the flip of a coin.
By upgrading these systems nationwide, hospitals will work more effectively and will be less prone to data breaches.
Effects Of Data Breaches
Unfortunately, automated information is prone to data breaches. Over 40.8 million patients have been affected by data breaches since the implementation of the HITECH Act in 2009 – with over 600 percent of attacks happening in 2014 alone. These attacks have cost the healthcare industry an average of $5.6 billion annually.
Real-time updates and reports can help physicians from all parts of the state make effective and informed decisions, when it comes to diagnosing and treating their patients. If this system is implemented nationwide, it is hoped to improve outcomes for cancer patients.
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