This document outlines Swanzy Essien's final project for their health informatics capstone course. The project will educate readers on the evolution of health care informatics, the impact of electronic medical record integration, and current health information systems. It will discuss the progression of health informatics from its origins to today, how EMRs have positively and negatively impacted quality care delivery, and contemporary systems like CPOE, EMR, and telemedicine. The project aims to inform health professionals, stakeholders, and the public on advances in technology-driven healthcare to improve outcomes and accessibility while reducing costs.

1. Final Project: The Essence of
Health Informatics
SWANZY ESSIEN
HCA 496 HEALTH INFORMATICS
CAPSTONE
QING YAN
NOVEMBER 10, 2014

2. Introduction
My name is Swanzy Essien, Ghanaian national currently
permanent resident in Cumming, Georgia. I am a final year
BA Health Informatics student at Ashford University, a
sculptor by profession (www.swanzess.com) and presently a
front desk manager at Compass Group (Eurest) in Alpharetta,
GA.
This blog aims at educating society on the following health
informatics topics;
Health care informatics evolutions and transitions to today
The impact on the electronic medical records integration
Current health care information systems

3. The above chosen topics shall be addressed as
follows:
• Health care informatics evolutions and transitions to today.
This topic shall dilate extensively on the progression of heath care
informatics and it gradual transitions, transformations or developments
from its genesis to today.
• The impact on the Electronic Medical Records (EMR) integration
This aspect of the presentation shall reveal the influence of electronic
medical records integration on quality health care delivery; here the
positive impact emanating from proper integration shall be highlighted
in relation to the negative impact resulting from improper integration
of EMR.
• Current health care information systems.
This topic shall inform readers on the contemporary health care
information systems in place and how beneficial they are in the health
care delivery processes.

4. The importance of the topics
• The improvement health care informatics has introduced into the delivery of quality
healthcare cannot be underestimated; the topics above are important varied ways; they shall
inform readers of the progress or advancements of health informatics since its inception till
today, enabling readers the opportunity to appreciate the efforts by various stakeholders to
ensure continuous quality improvement and safe healthcare delivery.
• EMR is gradually replacing the paper medical records due to the fact that benefits resulting
from automated medical records are enormous; in fact a national deadline has been
established in the federal stimulus plan to get all healthcare facilities to integrate EMR in
their working processes (EMR, 2009). As such, revealing the impact of the electronic
medical records integration on quality healthcare delivery shall enlighten healthcare
professional, stakeholders and consumers to ensure proper integration EMR to be able to
secure the full benefits.
• Technology is advancing at a rapid rate as such technology-driven advances medicine must
be accorded the needed attention it serves. An up-to-date information system is relevant in
today’s health care delivery due to its potentials in reducing healthcare cost as it improves
outcomes (Fichman, 2011); it is a step in the right direction to throw more light on the
current health care information systems to alert healthcare professionals and other
stakeholders to strive for improved and current systems utilization for effective outcomes.

5. A brief outline of the Final Project
Introduction
Technological advancements in this day and age have contributed
tremendously in the delivery of quality health care. Health care informatics-the
integration of people, telecommunication and information technology in
healthcare delivery has maximized quality, accessibility and reduced cost
(Wilkinson, 2010). This trend of healthcare delivery continues to rise at a
rapid rate as it assumes a central role in the healthcare delivery processes.
The enhancements healthcare informatics has introduced to the quality
healthcare delivery could not be over emphasized; it adequately supports
health information technology, medical practice and medical research,
resulting in maximum output or outcome. This blog seeks to educate and
inform society on the following health informatics topics: Health care
informatics evolutions and transitions to today, the impact on the electronic
medical records integration and current health care information systems.

6. I. Health care informatics evolutions and transitions to today
a. The genesis of health care informatics
b. Transformations in relation to time line
c. Present state
II. The impact on the electronic medical records integration
a. Enhanced exactness of diagnosis and health outcomes
b. Increased patient participation in their care (patient
centered approach)
c. Significant reduction in errors yielding a resultant effect of
improved quality health care
d. Reduced healthcare organization’s operational costs
III. Current health care information systems
a. Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE)
b. Electronic Medical Records (EMR)
c. Decision Support Systems (DSS)
d. Barcode Point Of Care (BPOC)
e. Telemedicine

7. Conclusion
In conclusion, technological advancement in healthcare is
cannot be ignored at this present time. Harnessing technology to
maximize accessibility and affordability to safe and quality
healthcare must be held in high-esteem by all (Wagner, 2009).The
future of health care informatics looks bright and consumers must
taker great interest in this form of patient centered health care
delivery processes . This blog aimed at educating and informing
society on the following health informatics topics: Health care
informatics evolutions and transitions to today, the impact on the
electronic medical records integration and current health care
information systems.

8. References
EMR: ONE HOSPITAL THAT GOT IT RIGHT. (2009). Health Management
Technology, 30(8), 15-7. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/195662228?accountid=32521
Fichman, R. G, Kohli, R. Krishnan, R. (2011). The Role of Information Systems
in Healthcare: Current Research and Future Trends. Retrieved from
http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/65959115
Wager, K. A., Lee, F. W., & Glaser, J. P. (2009). Health care information
systems: A practical approach for health care management (2nd ed.). San
Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass
Wilkinson, S., Chevan, J., & Vreeman, D. (2010). Establishing the centrality of
health informatics in physical therapist education: if not now, when?. Journal Of
Physical Therapy Education, 24(3), 10-15.