Essay on Information Management

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The healthcare industry is one where managing information becomes an issue of paramount importance. Modern technology can make handling information transfers easier, but it is important to remember the many processes that go into creating effective information management systems. This sample computer science paper will provide an in-depth look at record security and information management solutions in the medical field.

Information management and healthcare systems

Information management is the management of organizational systems and processes that aid in acquiring, creating and disseminating information. The process of information management is therefore systematic in its approach and runs on a cycle of activity. An information management system allows for a successful flow of information and encompasses five attributes or processes that help to establish specific goals and objectives of a company.

This is known as the information strategy, which attempts to establish the overall direction of the execution of the goals and objectives ("What is Information Management?"). These five processes are:

1. Project initiation
2. Project planning
3. Project execution
4. Project monitoring and controlling
5. Project closing

Adherence to this system is driven by the accessibility of healthcare information systems available, the relevance of the information, the understanding of the information and the accuracy of the information available.

Information mediums

Information includes both electronic and physical. An organization's structure must be adept in the managing of this information effectively throughout the project process. The focus of information management can be more aptly described as a corporate obligation to address the needs of that particular company. Organizations have to be held responsible and also have to hold their employees liable in the process ("What is Information Management?"). This is especially true within the healthcare sector.

Health information management is described as the care of health records within innumerable areas of the health care sector including hospitals, physician's office, clinics and varying health departments and insurance companies. Health information management professionals decide and execute information systems and policies in accordance with utilization of the information management technology ("Classifying health workers).

There is a need in the information management process for a portfolio management office. A portfolio management office is an integrated office within the information management project process that specifically supports the structure of IM/IT. During the information management process, because of the amount of information that is needed to be managed, there is often a need for improvement. Each of the five components of information management can collectively improve the quality of health care.

Building a healthcare technology system fro scratch

Project initiation brings together the key documentation that defines the project. By performing the necessary steps to ensuring a successful start-up of any project, of any magnitude, the healthcare technology industry as a whole will be successful. The majority of projects in any industry are born out of a need for change within the corporate structure.

A project is then the manifestation of that change. The project is begun by the project initiator or a sponsor who has the ability to fund it. Documentation has to be created to justify the project ("Project Initiation – Critical factors to ensure your project is successful," 2009). Project initiation is important to the healthcare industry in that any changes to policies or the overall operation of a healthcare facility begins with the initiation process.

The planning of a project occurs once the initiation process has been started. The objective of a project plan is to define the scope of the project (i.e. the who, what, when and why) ("What is Information Management?"). The project plan process is critical to a health care IM/IT plan as changes arise. The project's sponsor or initiator can ensure that the elements of the project such as the why, what, and when behind it are satisfied during this process. In doing so, the viability of the project as a whole will be sustained and it can move through the additional information system processes successfully.

Project execution stage

When the project reaches the execution process stage, it has been understood thoroughly to make certain that problems are minimized. This is a crucial step in the healthcare information systems process as issues within the system are addressed here or can be and any changes to the project that are needed can be made appropriately ( "Project Execution and Control," n.d.).

The execution phase aids the healthcare management system by updating versions of information, providing a summary of the informational processes being distributed through the healthcare sector and outlining the new changes within the information management process. Organizations and employees of the organizations are able to ascertain the reasons behind the project during this phase of the information management cycle.

Healthcare information management control process

The control process can be defined as addressing the project before it reaches the end. The success of an information technology project is often decided upon at the end of the project and thus by assessing it here, a measurement of success (i.e. time, cost and the quality of changes) can be performed. This is especially true within the healthcare arena because any project being executed has to have an objective basis and be diversified in how it will affect the system as a whole. If the project is not viable, then no change(s) can be made.

The final phase of the information management system is the project closing. There are several areas that need to be addressed before a closing of a project can occur and this is within any industry including healthcare. It is recommended that a list of any outstanding items be made and that a final accounting of the budgeting for the project be evaluated.

The reporting process here is crucial to understand where the project was successful and what improvements can be made when a future project is planned and executed.It is also recommended to distribute a questionnaire to employees and get their take on how they felt about the changes that were made to the information management process.

References

Akenroye, T. O. (2012). Factors Influencing Innovation in Healthcare: A conceptual synthesis. The Innovation Journal: The Public Sector Innovation Journal, 17(2), 21.

Classifying health workers: Mapping occupations to the international standard classification [PDF]. (2010). Retrieved from World Health Organization website: www.who.int/hrh/statistics/Health_workers_classification.pdf

Corwin, L., Corbin, J. H., & Mittelmark, M. B. (2012). Producing Synergy in Collaborations: A Successful Hospital Innovation. The Innovation Journal: The Public Sector Innovation Journal, 17(1), 16.

Jugdev, K., & Muller, R. (2005, December). A Retrospective Look at Our Evolving Understanding of Project Success. Project Management Journal, 19-31.

Project Closure – Whether your 1st or 21st project, successful completion involves a few important steps.... . (2009). Retrieved January 31, 2013, from tering-Project-Management.com website: http://www.mastering-project-management.com/project-closure.html

Project Initiation – Critical factors to ensure your project is successful. (2009). Retrieved January 31, 2013, from Mastering-Project-Management.com website: http://www.mastering-project-management.com/project-initiation.html

Project Execution and Control [Project Management Best Practices Document]. (n.d.). Retrieved from State of Missouri website: http://oa.mo.gov/

Sorensen, J. E., & Ertel, P. (1977). Peer Review Information Systems [PDF]. Retrieved from U.S. Department of Justice website: www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/Digitization/52045NCJRS.pdf

What is Information Management? (2013). Retrieved January 31, 2013, from AIIM website: http://www.aiim.org/what-is-information-management