Do Health Care Delivery Quality (Quality) and Health Information Technology (HIT) seem like a strange combination? The invention of technology specifically for health care delivery started a trend that has garnered support since it began. Providers, supported by technology and technology advances, have been empowered to support our desires to live longer, healthier lives and retain our quality of life much longer than previously possible. This intersection of Quality and HIT was thrust onto center stage with the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Signed into law on February 17, 2009, this legislation focused the national attention on an endeavor previously left to health care delivery organizations, Clinicians and the companies that provided the technology.
As the impact of the ever rising cost of health care on America’s interests at home and abroad became more visible, one of the first places to be investigated as a source for cost containment is the promise offered by more effectively and efficiently using technology. The dreams and goals the medical community fostered for decades seem to be much more attainable. Advances in technological capabilities and our ability to apply these capabilities have grown to create Electronic Health Record Systems. While immature, these products provide a platform for both the continued development of our understanding of the ways technology can benefit us as well as our understanding of how to apply technology appropriately to achieve the desired gain.
With the codification of the term “Meaningful Use” and the development of initial and continual clinical quality measures and reporting requirements, technology became more entrenched in the health care delivery system. As of April 2011, it seems most likely that the connection between Quality and HIT will only grow stronger as we continue to learn how to allow technology to promote more effective interaction between the Patient, the Patient’s family and care givers and the Providers who join with them in the effort to maintain or improve health and the associated quality of life. As we strive toward this goal, may we join together as inextricably in the process of conceptualizing, discussing, exploring, evaluating and adjusting as Quality seems to be as inextricably tied to HIT.