Health and Medical Administration Commons^™

Implementation Of Pharmacogenomics Into Electronic Health Record And Clinical Decision Support, Dharaben Naik

Applied Research Projects

The advent of electronic health records (EHR) and clinical decision support (CDS) has brought numerous changes in the healthcare field and has improved how patients receive care. The field of pharmacogenomics has made many breakthrough discoveries in the last few decades and these new advances have immensely reduced the cost of genetic testing. As advances have been made, researchers have discovered that individuals may respond to a medication differently due to genetic variants. There is a shift in the medical field from a one size fits all model to a personalized medicine model based on genetic information. Institutions have started …

Health Information Exchanges In The Community Pharmacy Setting, Kenneth D. Sykes

Applied Research Projects

The landscape of health care is shifting as new payment models and mandates for health information technology (HIT) rise. There is an unprecedented demand to meet our nation’s health care challenges of access, safety, quality, and cost. To meet these demands, the health care industry has recognized a team-based care model which can introduce the collaborative power through health information exchanges (HIEs). Providers like pharmacists, can detect and resolve medication errors, duplications, and omissions by using HIEs. HIEs give pharmacists the entire view of the patient from the bed-side of the hospital to the community pharmacy. However, the implementation of …

An Assessment Of Utilization Of Prescription Anti-Hypertension Medications Via A Health Records Database, Ryan Payne

Applied Research Projects

Obesity is a growing problem in the United States, though not a new one. It was estimated that over 72 million U.S. adults alone have a diagnosis of obesity. Among all preventable premature deaths, obesity ranks as the second leading cause. Contemporary classifications define obesity as a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30. Several common comorbidities are widely present in obese populations, particularly hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Among these chronic disease states, hypertension has been identified as the most common and earliest identifiable. The purpose of this study was to make inferences on the prescribing of …

Telehealth In Rural Tennessee- Closing The Gap In Care?, Kara L. Bianchini

Applied Research Projects

Telehealth is quickly becoming a tool used in everyday healthcare. Certain areas, such as rural communities in Tennessee, experience health disparities because of their location and distance from health care providers. This gap in care can be diminished through the use of telehealth services. This research project is taking place to gather data from hospitals in Tennessee currently providing telehealth services. I want to determine if telehealth is closing the gap-in-care seen in rural communities. Through research, I have found there are multiple barriers to telehealth, but also significant benefits. I think with additional education and training, telehealth can become …

Impact Information Governance Has On Healthcare Organizations, Nadine N. Ellington

Applied Research Projects

The purpose of this study evaluated the impact of information governance (IG) on healthcare organizations. Objectives and limitations were derived from literature reviews, case studies, and surveys. A methodology of evaluation research with a focus on summative evaluations was conducted. The population study consisted of health information management (HIM) professionals, consultants, data analyst, and other healthcare professionals. The findings from the research provided significant evidence supporting the value IG programs possess along with the benefits healthcare organizations gained with the adoption of the IG initiative.

Assessing Our Judgement: Comparing Librarian And Allied Health Professionals’ Evaluation Of Relevance Of Search Results, Jane Morgan-Daniel, Nancy Schaefer

Southern Chapter/Medical Library Association Annual Conference

Objectives: Information needs, literature searching, librarian’s and requestor’s perceptions

Health Information Technology And Language Barriers In Pre-Admission Clinics, Sandra M. Coffey

Applied Research Projects

LEP or Limited English Proficiency patients across the United States are at higher risk for decreased quality of care because of their inability to communicate effectively with healthcare providers. Interpreters are not offered in a consistent manner due to many variables such as cost, availability of qualified interpreters, the time spent with patients due to an increased work-overload and clinician lack of knowledge into technologies available to use. Healthcare information technology such as video and telephone interpretation can bridge the gap between patients and medical personnel when a language barrier is present. At the pre-admission clinic, the Nursing personnel interviews …

Efficacy Of Smart Infusion Pumps From A Nursing Perspective, Kassi B. Zaborowski

Applied Research Projects

In today’s healthcare, intravenous (IV) therapy-related errors have become rampant and are responsible for a substantial portion of hospital injuries and deaths. In the last decade, however, since the development and implementation of “smart” IV pumps, a significant number of these IV medication errors have allegedly been reduced. The purpose of this paper is to discuss research surrounding an evaluation of the efficacy of smart IV pumps from a nursing perspective.

How Laboratory Informatics Has Impacted Healthcare Overall, Mohammad Rafid Raeen

Applied Research Projects

Health information technology has improved key areas of healthcare such as academia, research, and practice. Technology is one of the key driving forces in healthcare that is set to enhance the overall provider-patient experience. The future of healthcare is aimed at improving patient satisfaction, quality of care, and practice methods. Laboratory information systems (LIS) is a fundamental component of the diagnostic or pathology department (Henricks, 2016). In the era, where laboratory reports have become complex and high-dimensional, the need to develop and implement a cost-effective platform or tool to collect, process, store, and manage such processes is required. A systematic …

Identifying Barriers That Affect Patients Access To Their Patient Portals And Mhealth Applications, Rameria L. Stewart

Applied Research Projects

Technological advances have generated new resources that allow patients to be more involved in their healthcare. As different innovations find their way into the informatics sector of healthcare, patients experience some challenges as they try to adopt these innovations. One particular innovation in healthcare has been the use of patient portals to promote patient engagement, which will encourage patients to take on a more active role in their healthcare. This study focused in exploring the barriers in the access of MyChart portal at Baptist Memorial Care Corporation and, to some extent, how to handle this problem. An online survey …

Primary Care Practices’ Progress Of Using Electronic Health Information Exchange (Hie), Susan M. Heyde

Applied Research Projects

Now that EHRs are purportedly fully implemented in the healthcare industry, it is important to evaluate the electronic Health Information Exchange (HIE) between primary care facilities, laboratories, hospitals, specialists, regional coops, and public health authorities.

Meaningful Use Stage 3 implementation is to begin this year, 2018. Complementing this implementation, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act, MACRA, was signed into law on April 16, 2015. MACRA removes eligible clinicians from EHR Incentive Programs that were previously established by the HITECH Act. MACRA also creates the Quality Payment Program that the CMS will use for Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement to primary …

The Importance Of Clinical Documentation Improvement, Amanda Shanty Baksh

Applied Research Projects

The world of technology in the twenty first century is forever expanding. In the healthcare field, patient data has transformed from paper charts into electronic health records. Electronic health records allow for organized patient information however, an enormous amount of information becomes available. Sometimes the massive amount of information is not always needed but important detail the medical chart is looked for by insurance companies for reimbursement. There is a special department in hospitals called the Clinical Documentation Improvement specialists who are made up of experienced medical coders, registered nurses, mid-level practitioners such as nurse practitioner’s s or physician’s assistants …

Perceptions Of Emr Documentation In The Home Setting, Catherine Hupf

Applied Research Projects

The use of technology in healthcare is ever increasing in our hospitals, doctor’s offices, and clinics. Studies have been done to ascertain the perceptions of patients on the use of technology in the places that provide them care. This project was done for a population that does not always receive care where the clinician is. The care is in their home by clinicians who are using laptop computers and documenting in the EMR. Home care and hospice patients or their caregivers were asked to complete a survey with seven questions scored with a 5-point Likert scale to find that they …

Why Is Family Medicine Different?, F. Matthew Mihelic, Gregory H. Blake

Faculty Publications

An understanding of the role and function of Family Medicine in the healthcare system can provide important insights for Enterprise Architecture. It is often stated that the thought process utilized by Family Medicine physicians is different from that of specialty physicians, but heretofore there has been little or no analysis of what that difference is. This article examines that difference from the perspective of the complex adaptive system that is healthcare today, and shows how it is that Family Medicine physicians perform the vital function of decreasing the entropy or disorder in the patient care system via decision loops, as …

Does The Electronic Health Record Improve The Timeliness Review And Notification Of Medical Laboratory And X-Ray Test Results?, Ruby Estes

Applied Research Projects

The medical community struggles with timeliness issues throughout the different healthcare environments in many areas of patient care. The demands of meeting patient care needs is great everywhere. One area that can lead to extreme adverse outcomes and affects patient safety is failure to review and follow-up on medical test results timely. In addition the lack of timely follow-up and treatment can lead to medico-legal implications for all healthcare professionals involved in the patients care. Some timeliness issues have been attributed to understaffed healthcare institutions, lack of trained staff, and in many instances inefficient and insufficient processes. This is an …

A Qualitative Analysis Of The Health Informatics Role In Addressing The Public Health Crisis Of Addiction And Overall Effectiveness Of Treatment, Daniel Del Toro

Applied Research Projects

In recent years, the implementation of Health Information Management (HIM) data systems has had significant positive impacts in nearly all aspects of both health and healthcare delivery. However, during this time, there has also been a dramatic increase in the demand for addiction and mental health treatment. The rising number of individuals requiring mental health treatment for addiction has resulted in its declaration as an urgent public health epidemic by the Department of Health and Human Services. The all-encompassing effects of addiction are prevalent in all areas of society, seen in the form of across-the-board rising healthcare costs, addiction related …

Medication Nonadherence, Health Care Utilization, And Safemed Care Transitions Model Impact In Super-Utilizers, Satya Surbhi

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

BACKGROUND: Super-utilizers are individuals with disproportionately high inpatient and emergency department (ED) use, and mostly have multiple chronic conditions and use multiple concurrent medications. They place a substantial burden on the U.S. healthcare system and have become the focus of policy initiatives aimed at reducing their disproportionate inpatient and ED use. Medication management is critical for these patients since nonadherence to essential chronic medications is associated with poor health outcomes, and higher health care utilization and costs. OBJECTIVES: This dissertation employed a three empirical research papers approach to study the following aims: (1) the prevalence and patterns of medication nonadherence …

Is Cloud Computing In Healthcare Providing A Safe Environment For Storing Protected Health Information? A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Ashley N. Hayes

Applied Research Projects

Over the past several years, cloud computing has become increasingly more popular for the use of storing, accessing, and maintaining electronic health records (EHRs). In comparison to conventional EHR management tools, such as installed software, cloud computing offers more capabilities for medical facilities and their patients. Experts claim that in addition to changing the face of health information technology, it will also advance healthcare services, and benefit medical research. As the use of cloud computing has increased, so has the amount of healthcare data breaches. This study is proposing that there is a correlation between the increase in cloud computing …

How Barriers To Using The Electronic Health Record Effects Behavioral Healthcare, Jennifer Woodard

Applied Research Projects

The healthcare scene is rapidly changing due to the introduction of the electronic health record (EHR) and advances in technology. This means more patient data is readily available for use and gives physicians and patients’ faster access to that data. With the passing of recent legislature such as the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, resulting in the rapid adoption of electronic health records due to incentive payment programs. With this comes the push for use of the electronic health record to prepare for Meaningful Use and improved …

Adoption Rate Of A Certified Ehr At Medical Practices With Five Or Fewer Physicians, Nelda Onwualiaobu

Applied Research Projects

The adoption rate of a certified electronic health record (EHR) for small medical practices have been the subject of discussion because prior research shows that larger medical practices have a higher rate of adoption than small medical practices. The major reason for this disparity has been the cost of adoption and implementation as many small practices are not financially equipped to shoulder this burden. The purpose of this research was to determine the adoption rate of a certified EHR for medical practices with five or fewer physicians. Through a google search and filtering the results of the search, the office …

Are Bay County Florida Healthcare Facilities Ready For Pama Imaging Cds Mandate?, Kelly Johnson

Applied Research Projects

The Electronic Health Record (EHR) has been a major player on the healthcare scene in recent years. Its use has ushered in a new phase of focus on quality healthcare combined with and aided by technological integration. Within this technological integration have come adjutant tools including Clinical Decision Support (CDS) tools. Among these applications are those focused on appropriate imaging by use of CDS designed according to Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC). The imaging CDS tools are available to aid the provider in selecting the appropriate imaging study for the clinical indications present. The Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) passed …

The Copy And Paste Function And The Quality Of The Electronic Health Record (Ehr), Francesca John

Applied Research Projects

The copy and paste (c/p) function is utilized by many clinical and administrative staff in the healthcare organization. A survey comprising of 10 multiple choice questions was randomly administered to 60 employees at a skilled nursing facility to determine if the utilization of the copy and paste function leads to errors in the electronic health record (EHR) and ultimately reduced the quality of the record. After reviewing and analyzing the results it was found errors have been noticed in the record due to the c/p function, however, the respondents believed although these errors existed, the c/p function actually enhanced the …

Ehr Quality Documentation Research Thesis, Ashley Danielle Holmes

Applied Research Projects

This research proposal contains and introduction to my proposed research, background of the issue at hand, purpose of the research, significance of the research, research questions that I will be asking, definition of terms, limitations that I may be facing, literature review, SWOT Analysis, and Work Flow diagram on literature review. Also discussed are my proposed research methodology, research design, population sample, data collection procedures, as well as a table of survey variables that I propose to include. This proposal will go over why documentation quality and quantity is so important and the history behind why we are facing a …

Nutrition Informatics: Information Technology Transition For Registered Dieticians, Arlanda Bell

Applied Research Projects

The passing of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) has created a growing push for healthcare organizations to no longer use paper based records and convert to an Electronic Health Record (EHR). Along with the adoption of an EHR comes a necessary change for ancillary services like nutrition and dietetic services because it affects patient care as well. In order to maintain a professional standard in patient healthcare as other health disciplines have done, the development of nutrition informatics model has become necessary. Nutrition informatics will prove to be a necessary addition to the developing …

Icd-10 Implementation: What Impact Did It Have On Medical Facilities Across The Country?, Tammy Collins

Applied Research Projects

The Department of Health and Human Services mandated that all Health InsurancePortability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) covered entities implement The International Classification of Diseases tenth edition (ICD-10) on October 1, 2015. The United States was the last industrialized country to move to the new coding system. A survey of HIM professionals was conducted across the United States to determine what efforts they experienced during the implementation of ICD-10; outline a timeline of implementation efforts for the transition of ICD-9 to ICD-10; uncover the major expenses organizations incurred through the implantation process; define training initiatives; and disclose the financial impact the …

Internet And Social Media: Influence On The Parent’S Vaccination Decision, Laura Piscaglia

Applied Research Projects

Information is now abundantly available with a click of a button. Access to more information imaginable can be obtained instantly. Unfortunately, not all of this information is backed by scientifically researched facts. This is causing problems for the healthcare industry, especially in the area of vaccinations. Scientifically sound information provided by the healthcare providers is being challenged by information parents are finding that is provided by the anti-vaccination movement. This information is found on websites, shared on social media, and is spreading rapidly. This research investigates this conflicting information between healthcare providers and the anti-vaccination movement. It is designed to …

Super-Utilization: The New Perfect Storm Of Health Reform, Jill Diane Nault

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

This three-essay dissertation was focused on geographic variation of super-utilization, or the disproportionately high healthcare utilization and costs attributed to a small sub-set of the inpatient population. For purposes of this research, super-utilization was operationalized as high repeat utilization (HRU) and referred to inpatient utilization and inpatient readmission expenditures attributed to beneficiaries with four or more 30-day readmissions per year. The overall purpose of the research was to identify geographic areas at increased risk for HRU. These areas corresponded to where beneficiaries live and were aligned with the geographically-bound healthcare delivery systems. Each essay employed an observational study design using …

Assessing The Role Of Faith-Based Organizations In Health Promotion, Troylyn Braud Francis

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Objective: The objective of this analysis was to evaluate the relationship between organizational readiness (OR) and weight loss and physical activity outcomes among faith-based organizations (FBOs).

Methods: Data for this study were collected in two phases. Phase I data were based on a feasibility study and targeted African-American individuals (N = 55) who participated in an obesity prevention program. The intervention was accomplished in two stages, which included a 10-week core period followed by a 6-month maintenance period. Phase II data were based on key informant interviews that were conducted with community health leaders (CHLs) (N=6) from participating …

User Acceptance Of Neurology Telemedicine Technology In The Emergency Department, Teresa W. Mcneil

Applied Research Projects

There is currently a significant shortage of trained neurologists in the country. In addition to the shortfall of neurologists, there is an increasing need for this specialty due to an aging population, increase in the incident of neurologic diseases and an increasing demand for healthcare (Freeman, 2013). The development of tele neurology technology has been shown to help address these problems. As with any new technology there are multiple barriers to overcome, one of those being user acceptance of the technology. A survey of users of the telemedicine product VGo was conducted at Hunt Regional Medical Center to access the …

Information Governance: An Investigation Of Interface Errors Between Source And Receiving Systems, Michelle R. Mitcheff

Applied Research Projects

The monitoring of interoperability of information in healthcare organizations is of increasing interest due to patient safety, operational and financial considerations. This monitoring is referred to as information governance (IG) and is a complex topic based on several underlying concepts. Interfacing information at the foundational, structural and semantic level is necessary for meaningful use of health information. Issues that arise range from incongruent transfer of information from source systems to receiving systems, discrepancies in the source system and receiving system and failures in interfacing information. This research project examines information governance from the perspective of failures in interfacing information from …