Cheryl Kraemer  Module 6

Glaser, J., & Overhage, J. M. (2013). The role of healthcare IT: becoming a learning organization. Hfm (Healthcare Financial Management), 67(2), 57-63.

Why was this article, blog, post, or multimedia chosen?

     This article was chosen because it discusses the Institute of Medicine’s 2012 Report “Best Care at Lower Cost: The Path to Continuously Learning Health Care in America.  The report provides recommendations “for building a health care delivery system that learns from and evolves with every patient interaction”. (p57)

What makes it interesting, appropriate, or reputable?

       It is reputable because the recommendations are from the Institute of Medicine, a non-profit, non-governmental agency whose goal is to improve the nation’s health.  IOM suggests that “Americans should be served by a healthcare system that consistently delivers reliable performance and constantly improves, systematically and seamlessly, with each experience and transition” (p.57)    

Is it an opinion? Case study? Research study? Product review?

     It is an opinion or interpretation of the Institute of Medicine’s 2012 report.  

What was the need, problem, issue or trend addressed in the article, blog, post, or multimedia?

     The need identified in the article is the failure of the American healthcare system to provide reliable care and best outcomes while reducing unnecessary care, excessive administrative costs, and missed prevention opportunities.

What was the solution for which technology had an answer?

     -Patient data captured in EHRs,imaging and molecular medicine data

     -Real time analytics and novel decision aids

     -Ease-of-use advancements and effective data capture methods

     -Extended reach of EHRs in gathering data from other processes and sources

What implications might this have in healthcare delivery?

     The implications in healthcare delivery are improved patient care as a result of decreased waste, streamlined care delivery and patient-centered care.  According to the article, a learning organization is described as somewhere people can continue to pursue the results they desire, creative thinking is nurtured and people are continually learning.  Continuous knowledge development is the basis for a learning organization in healthcare.   Business intelligence will be used to determine variations in practice, compare outcomes, realize new revenue opportunities, and reduce costs.  An example of real-time analytics mentioned assessment of costs and quality of alternative care settings.

What did you learn from it that might have application for your practice?

     One question that the article poses in relation to knowledge management is how an organization manages the processes of updating and retiring decision guidance.   This is something that in my organization we currently struggle with, particularly because we have decision support tied to some physician orders sets and there are some order sets that have not been reviewed in several years.