Information Systems Integration Project – Part Two

Assessment Description
The purpose of this assignment is to reflect on the IT professional interview and draw conclusions about the complexities of integrating information systems in a health care setting.
The Information Systems Integration Project has three components: a group interview, an individual response, and a PowerPoint presentation. The results of this assignment and Part One will be used in Part Three of the project.
Upon completing the group interview component in Part One, consider the IT professional’s responses and what they conveyed about the relationship between information technology and health care.
Drawing on the answers from the interview, in conjunction with your own research, compose a 500-750-word paper that addresses the following:
Describe the role of the IT professional you interviewed within the health care organization where the IT professional works.
Summarize the main talking points from the interview and explain how HMIS is integrated within the IT professional’s facility.
Explain how management variables, such as cost, productivity, and quality care at an organization, are affected by the integration of an information system. Incorporate specific examples from the interview where possible.
Explain where and how HMIS services factor into an organization’s strategic plan.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.
Interview Questions
IT Healthcare interview
Integrating technology into a health information system (HIS) is essential to modern healthcare delivery and management. This paper identifies a healthcare IT professional for an interview. Further, it presents the chosen questions and answers to evaluate the different aspects of integrating these technologies into the system. The chosen professional is an IT specialist with a strong technical background and a senior-level management position. With the implementation of technology in health care, it is essential to understand the job role of IT professionals and their impact on the current and future healthcare industry.
Interview
We conducted a semi-structured interview with a healthcare IT professional who works in a healthcare organization’s IT department in a senior-level position. We chose ten questions (from the given list) and five additional questions (original to our team) to know the impact of technology in health care and how it is being merged and implemented within the organization. We recorded the interview for further review and discussion.
Question 1: How do you gather system and user requirements?
Answer: Gathering user requirements is a key part of any IT project and is important for ensuring that the final product meets the expectations of both the user and the company. I use a combination of methods to gather system and user requirements. These include interviewing stakeholders, performing user research and testing, observing user behavior, reviewing existing data sources and trends, and developing prototypes and focus groups.
Question 2: What information analysis system have you worked with most?
Answer: I have the most experience working with the Tableau Business Intelligence platform. It allows me to quickly and accurately develop and deploy data visualizations to analyze complex data from multiple systems.
Question 3: How do you implement significant improvements and changes to IT infrastructure?
Answer: When implementing significant improvements and changes to an IT infrastructure, I evaluate the existing processes and procedures to ensure that any new changes are aligned with the company’s goals and objectives. I then meet with users to discuss their needs, negotiate a timeline for implementation, and build a business case for the proposed changes. After that, I work with the team to develop a plan to test and deploy the new system and, ultimately, measure the results.
Question 4: What methods have you or your team had to implement to ensure effective network security?
Answer: We use a number of procedures and strategies to ensure the security of our network. These include implementing firewalls and antivirus software, monitoring access and user privileges, encrypting data, performing regular vulnerability and penetration tests, and maintaining backup systems.
Question 5: What research do you or your team conduct before deploying a new software system or process?
Answer: Before deploying a new software system or process, my team and I perform thorough research to ensure the system meets our needs and those of our users. This includes researching the effectiveness of existing systems, comparing different solutions, understanding user preferences and needs, and ensuring the system meets regulatory requirements.
Question 6: What mistakes have you or your team made in dealing with medical staff? How have you learned from those mistakes?
Answer: In dealing with medical staff, we have occasionally encountered miscommunication or failure to understand their needs. We have learned from these mistakes by ensuring better communication with our users, understanding their needs and preferences, and providing more detailed instructions and training.
Question 7: How did you come to work in this industry? Why are you interested in health care?
Answer: After completing my degree, I decided to pursue a career in information technology because it allows me to use my skills to solve real-world problems. I am passionate about healthcare because I strongly believe in its power to improve people’s lives, and I am intrigued by the challenges of leveraging technology to make that happen.
Question 8: What EMR/EHR system does your company or organization use? Why this selection?
Answer: Our company uses Epic EHR (Electronic Health Record) software. We chose this system because it provides a comprehensive set of features that enable us to maintain patient data, facilitate communication between clinicians, and manage the organization’s finances. Additionally, the system complies with federal regulations, which is one of our paramount concerns.
Question 9: What skills and experience are the most crucial for an IT manager in the healthcare industry?
Answer: For an IT manager in the health care industry, I believe that technical skills and knowledge are important but equally important is the ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with stakeholders, translate complex information into understandable language, provide clear instructions and guidance, and have the ability to adapt to ever-changing situations.
Question 10: How do you ensure confidential data are stored in a secure place?
Answer: Our team takes a number of precautions to ensure data confidentiality. We use strong encryption protocols to protect sensitive data, regularly review and update company policies, conduct regular audits and back-ups, and monitor user access and privileges to restrict access to sensitive data.
Question 11: How do you feel that EMR/EHR systems have changed our healthcare system?
Answer: Electronic medical records have simplified the documentation process, improved data accuracy and access, enabled faster information sharing, and improved patient care. It has enabled providers to access up-to-date patient information quickly and accurately, resulting in better patient outcomes.
Question 12: How do IT managers impact the healthcare industry?
Answer: IT managers play a vital role in the healthcare industry. They are responsible for managing the IT infrastructure and ensuring that the organization’s systems are secure, reliable, and compliant with industry standards. They also help to facilitate communication between clinicians, track patient data, and develop new IT solutions to improve healthcare delivery.
Question 13: What are your strengths as an IT manager?
Answer: My strengths as an IT manager include my technical expertise, ability to manage and prioritize tasks, strong communication and customer service skills, and understanding of the unique needs of the healthcare industry.
Question 14: What type of healthcare facilities do you prefer to work at?
Answer: I prefer to work in healthcare facilities focused on patient care and employing technologically-minded staff. I am also interested in working in facilities that embrace and promote innovation, as this allows me to proactively explore new and improved ways of managing IT systems.
Question 15: With the incorporation of technology within healthcare, how do you think healthcare will continue to evolve and improve?
Answer: With the incorporation of technology, I expect healthcare delivery and management to become more efficient and effective. We have already seen a shift towards more digital operations as well as greater integration of data and analytics that can help to give providers real-time insights into patient health. Additionally, more data will be collected and analyzed to uncover new findings that can be used to inform decisions and improve patient care.
Conclusion
This paper discussed the aspects of integrating technology into a health information system. An interview was conducted with a senior-level IT professional working in a healthcare organization. Through this interview, it was possible to understand the role of IT professionals in health care and the different methodologies they use to ensure system security and data accuracy. Additionally, we discussed the impact of technology on healthcare, the challenges of leveraging technology, and the future of healthcare with the incorporation of technology.
Reference
Astell, A. J., Bouranis, N., Hoey, J., Lindauer, A., Mihailidis, A., Nugent, C., & Robillard, J. M. (2019). Technology and dementia: The future is now. Dementia and geriatric cognitive disorders, 47(3), 131-139.