Pharm 122: HIPAA, Answering Drug Info Questions, and etc.

Define Pharmacy Informatics

Use of information systems, and automation technology to ensure safe and effective medication use

what are examples of patient-specific information

medications

medical history

lab results

what are examples of knowledge based information?

Clinical Guidelines

Lab Reference

Ranges

Possible Drug Side Effects

What is HIPAA?

HIPAA stands for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

• this is the protection for the privacy of an individual’s health information. Providers must inform patient of privacy rights

What is HITECH?

HITECH stands for Health information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health

• the goal was to improve patient care using interoperable electronic health record (EHR) systems.

What is interoperability?

the ability for EHRs to connect or “talk to each other

what is alert fatigue?

Clinicians may become irritable or exhausted after being exposed to too many alerts, which can lead to ignoring some or all alerts, which reduces safety benefits of the decision support system.

what are the key communication factors for healthcare professionals?

• Clarity and precision

  • use precise medical terminology, avoid ambiguity

  • provide clear evidence based recommendations

• conciseness

  • deliver info in a brief, focus manner (ethical time manner in healthcare)

  • highlight most important info first

• contextualization

  • frame info in the context of clinical practice including guidelines and patient care standards

  • consider the healthcare professional’s specialty or area of practice when delivering info

• supporting evidence

  • include references to clinical studies, guidelines, or other reputable soures

  • be prepared to provide additional details if requested

• professional tone

  • respectful tone, professional, and collegial

  • acknowledge the expertise of the healthcare professional while providing the needed info

what are the key communication factors for layperson

• simplicity and accessibility

  • simple language, avoid medical jargon

  • explain info thats easy to understand, using analogies if necessary

• empathy and reassurance

  • acknowledge patients concerns/emotions

  • reassure using clear and supportive communication

• visual aids and examples

  • use diagrams, images, or examples to illustrate complex concepts

  • provide written materials/resources that patients can take home

• cultural sensitivity

  • be mindful of cultural, language, and literacy differences

  • tailor the communication to fit the cultural context of the patient

• encouragement of questions

  • invite patient to ask or express questions/concern

  • make them feel comfortable with any clarification on any point

Under ANALYZE in the DI process, what are the 5 steps?

(CRAAP)

1. Currency

2. Relevance

3. Authority

4. Accuracy

5. Purpose

What is Currency?

The timeliness of the information

• when was the information published or posted? Revised or updated?

• does your topic require current information, or will older the sources work as well?

What is Relevance?

The importance of the information for your needs

• does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?

• Who is the intended audience? / an appropriate level?

What is Authority?

The source of the information

• who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?

• what are the author’s credentials or organizational affiliations

• is the author qualified to wrote on the topic? / contact information?

What is Accuracy: The reliability, truthfulness and correctness of the content

• where does the info come from? / supported by evidence?

• has the information been reviewed/referred

• Does the language or tone seem unbiased and free emotion?

what is the purpose?

the reason the information exists

• what is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, teach, sell, entertain or persuade?

• does the point of view appear objective and impartial

• are there political, religious, institutional or personal biases?