Health
Information Technology (HIT) assists family caregivers to organize care for
their child with special needs. Find out
what HIT is, how it works, and the pros/cons of consent.
Defining HIT
In
a nutshell, health information technology means to use health information in an
electronic form on the computer/flash drive, app., etc. Doctors can use HIT to prescribe medications,
share information with other physicians and hospitals etc. Families may be able to set appointments and
store information. Electronic Health
Records (EHRs) are medical records available online to doctors, or through
patient portals that families can access.
Source http://www.intelichart.com/blog/himss-report-on-patient-engagement-highlights-patient-portals
Why using HIT is
important
HIT
can share information between doctors, and also between doctors and
families. This is especially important
for children who need complex care.
Complex medical care means that one condition, or medication, could
affect others. Tracking healthcare by using
HIT also means the child may not have to go through the same test or procedure
twice. It is essential that family caregivers
make sure that the information is correct, or ask for a correction, so everyone
has the same information. Please note
that the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) contains protections
to avoid unauthorized access to private health information.
Photo www.bocatc.org
Consent-Pros
& Cons
Family
caregivers should know that they must agree whether or not to share medical
information. It is important that all doctors
have access to needed information. But
at times only part of a record is needed by certain providers, like a school
nurse. Family caregivers can decide to
share with one doctor or a health “system” such as a hospital or clinic, particularly
if they see a different doctor each time.
Also family caregivers can withdraw consent at any time. Parents can also “opt out” from sharing
information from the start. They need to
remember, though, if something happens and a patient can’t communicate, having
an EHR will help.
HIT
has been shown to reduce medication errors, medical errors, and result in
better outcomes. Having all of a child’s
health information in one place helps coordinate care. Most importantly, this results in better
overall healthcare for children with disabilities.
The
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) – how information
is protected
Health Information Technology Tools & Resources
The
Office of Civil Rights “Your Health Information Privacy Rights” www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/consumer_rights.pdf
Healthcare.gov - tips on preventing fraud
Spanish www.cuidadodesalud.gov/es/how-can-i-protect-myself-from-fraud-in-the-health-insurance-marketplace/
Statewide Parent Advocacy factsheet
Remain
Hopeful,
Lauren
Lauren
Agoratus is a parent/advocate who works for the Statewide Parent Advocacy
Network and serves as the NJ Coordinator for Family Voices (www.spanadvocacy.org), a national network that works to
“keep families at the center of children’s healthcare” at www.familyvoices.org
or
FB www.facebook.com/pages/Family-Voices-Inc-National/137783182902269. She also serves as NJ representative
supporting caregivers across the lifespan for the Caregiver Action Network
(formerly National Family Caregivers Association) in a volunteer capacity at http://caregiveraction.org/
or
FB www.facebook.com/CaregiverActionNetwork.
