Healthcare Information Systems

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to healthcare information systems, including clinical, nursing, pharmacy, and laboratory systems.

Clinical Information System (CIS)

A system that uses computers to manage clinical information, such as the patient's history. It collects, stores, manipulates, and ensures patient information is available to medical personnel and the healthcare delivery process.

Nursing Information System (NIS)

A system that supports nursing by managing and improving charting, scheduling staff, and integrating clinical information. It minimizes paperwork and improves patient care.

Pharmacy Information System (PIS)

A system that maintains drug supply and organization in a pharmacy or hospital setting. It monitors a patient's drug allergies and interactions and determines if the appropriate dosage has been given.

Laboratory Information System (LIS)

A system used in a laboratory to manage patients' tests and results. It collects, records, presents, organizes, and archives laboratory results and generates information for the laboratory's proper financial management.

The following functions are included in a laboratory information system:

• Patient management, including admission date, admitting physician, ordering department, specimen type, and any other necessary identifying information.

• Patient data tracking

• Decision support, including lab order comparisons with their respective ICD-9 codes

• Standard test ordering and specimen tracking

• Test ordering for point-of-care, molecular, and genetic testing

• Quality assurance

• Workload and management reporting

• Analytical reporting

• Workflow management

• Billing

• Third-party software integration

The LIS has supported public health institutions (like hospitals and clinics) by managing and reporting critical data concerning "the status of infections, immunology, and care and treatment status of patients." Some laboratory information systems interface with a patient's EHR to send results automatically. At other times, results are mailed or faxed to the physician for entry into the patient's record

Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS)

A system that provides clinicians with evidence-based recommendations, guidelines, alerts, and reminders at the point of care to assist in clinical decision-making.

Health Information Exchange (HIE)

A system that enables the electronic sharing of patient health information among healthcare organizations, such as hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and laboratories.

Healthcare Analytics and Business Intelligence (BI) Systems

Systems that analyze large volumes of healthcare data to identify trends, patterns, and insights that can inform strategic decision-making, quality improvement initiatives, population health management, and resource allocation.