How can HIT improve communication and collaboration during disease outbreaks?

Disease outbreaks pose serious challenges for healthcare systems, especially when they involve new or emerging pathogens that require rapid detection, diagnosis, and response. Communication and collaboration among healthcare professionals, public health authorities, laboratories, and other stakeholders are essential for effective and coordinated action. However, traditional methods of information sharing, such as paper-based records, phone calls, faxes, or emails, can be slow, error-prone, and inconsistent. How can health information technology (HIT) improve communication and collaboration during disease outbreaks?

1 Benefits of HIT

HIT, the use of electronic systems and tools to collect, store, analyze, and exchange health data and information, can help improve communication and collaboration during disease outbreaks. It enables real-time and secure data sharing across different platforms, locations, and organizations, enhancing data quality, accuracy, and completeness by reducing manual errors and duplication. Moreover, it facilitates data analysis and visualization to identify patterns, trends, and risks. HIT also supports decision making and action planning based on evidence and best practices, as well as improving transparency and accountability by tracking and reporting the progress and outcomes of interventions.

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Andrea Pitkus, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CM, FAMIA

Laboratory Informatics Expert
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While it has been good to garner HIT adoption, there also needs to be a focus on quality. Quality data encoded accurately is needed for accurate clinical decision support tools, whether via algorithms, calculations, or Artificial Intelligence or Machine Learning. Rushing to exchange data that is subpar not only negatively impacts clinical decision making, but also other uses of the data such as in research and introducing bias. Focusing on quality of data and decisions will allow for improvements in decision making, patient care, public health surveillance, as well as research.

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2 Examples of HIT

There are many types of HIT that can be used to improve communication and collaboration during disease outbreaks, depending on the context and needs of the situation. Electronic health records (EHRs), which store digital versions of patients' medical histories, diagnoses, treatments, and outcomes, are one example. Laboratory information systems (LISs) are software applications that manage laboratory test results and quality control. Surveillance systems are databases that monitor and alert the occurrence and spread of diseases and outbreaks. Telehealth services deliver healthcare remotely through phone, video, or internet. Additionally, mHealth applications provide health information, education, or services through mobile devices.

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3 Challenges of HIT

Despite the potential benefits of HIT, there are also some challenges and barriers that need to be addressed to ensure its effective and ethical use during disease outbreaks. These include interoperability, which is the ability of different HIT systems to communicate and exchange data; privacy and security, which are the protection of personal and sensitive health data; accessibility and affordability, which are the availability and cost of HIT; user acceptance and adoption, which are the willingness and ability to use HIT; and evaluation and feedback, which are the methods and measures to assess its impact.

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Dr. Rodney E Rohde, SV, SM, MB (ASCP), FACSc,

Regents' Professor and Global Fellow, Texas State University
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In my experience as a hybrid professional [career paths in both public health and medical laboratories], one of the greatest concerns and hurdles for accurate healthcare delivery, patient safety, and rapid appropriate response times for national or global emergencies [pandemics] has been the ongoing inability to open clear lines of communication between public health and hospital medical laboratories. Logically, we all know that a national laboratory testing and information sharing strategy is critical to our collective wellbeing. Leaders from all parties must continue to find creative ways, perhaps via artificial intelligence coalitions and teams, to build accurate science communication systems.

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4 Best practices of HIT

Healthcare professionals, public health authorities, and other stakeholders can maximize the benefits of HIT by following best practices during disease outbreaks. These include establishing clear and consistent standards and protocols for data collection, sharing, and analysis, as well as implementing robust security measures to safeguard data privacy and confidentiality. Equitable access and support to HIT should be provided for different users and settings, while users should be engaged and trained on the benefits, features, and functions of HIT. Finally, performance and impact of HIT should be monitored and evaluated with feedback being sought for improvement.

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5 Future of HIT

HIT is constantly evolving and innovating to meet the changing and complex needs of healthcare systems and populations, with potential new opportunities and solutions to improve communication and collaboration during disease outbreaks. In the future, HIT may incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies, which can learn from data and perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence. Blockchain and distributed ledger technology could also be utilized, as these systems can securely store and verify data transactions. Additionally, internet of things (IoT) devices and wearable technology can collect health data from sensors or monitors. Big data and analytics methods could process and analyze large sets of health data, while social media and crowdsourcing platforms could gather and disseminate health information to large groups of people.

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Dr. Rodney E Rohde, SV, SM, MB (ASCP), FACSc,

Regents' Professor and Global Fellow, Texas State University
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I believe we must embrace the power of ongoing developments in AI, digital media platforms, and other technological improvements in the HIT space. However, we must also meet the ethical and science communication accuracy at the intersection of future HIT paths. Our ability to keep and improve the public's trust in healthcare and laboratory testing depends on it.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can HIT improve communication and collaboration during disease outbreaks?

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1 Benefits of HIT

2 Examples of HIT

3 Challenges of HIT

4 Best practices of HIT

5 Future of HIT

6 Here’s what else to consider

Healthcare

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How can HIT improve communication and collaboration during disease outbreaks?

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6

1 Benefits of HIT

2 Examples of HIT

3 Challenges of HIT

4 Best practices of HIT

5 Future of HIT

6 Here’s what else to consider

Healthcare

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