Answer: Health information technology has been promoted as significantly improving the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, quality and safety of patient care. The primary goal of automating surrounds efforts to provide high quality care.

One of the substantial benefits of health information technology is the enhancement to clinical decision making. Technology promotes data exchange, integration and connectivity. Through forms automation and clinical data repository storage, patient data becomes readily accessible for pertinent health care providers to make timely, accurate clinical decision making. Providers experience improved access to patient data and enhanced connectivity to other providers in achieving continuity of care.

Automation and process improvement created by technology can eliminate the repetitive and time consuming tasks required in the paper environment, thereby affording providers more time to focus on administering patient care. The risks associated with incomplete, untimely data, misfiled forms and redundant data are reduced. Auto-generation of form sets, based on patient type, ensures that all pertinent documentation is collected and instantaneously accessible. Auto-filing of e-forms ensures the documentation is stored in the correct location of the correct patient record. Auto-delivery and dissemination of documentation to providers for continuity of care is assured.

The key to implementing health information technology is not to completely change the way we do business; rather, it is an opportunity to provide users with tools to align their time with their area of expertise – in this case, administering patient care.