Whither the Dictionary of Health Information Technology and Security?
A simple query that demands a cogent answer!
There is a myth that all stakeholders in the healthcare space understand the meaning of basic information technology jargon. In truth, the vernacular of contemporary medical information systems is unique, and often misused or misunderstood. It is sometimes altogether confounding. Terms such as, "RSS", "DRAM", "ROM", "USB", "PDA", and "DNS" are common acronyms, but is their functionality truly understood?
Computer technology and online security is also changing, and with its rapid growth comes an internal "lingo" that demands still more attention from the healthcare sector. Legislation, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996, the Wired for Health Care Quality Act (WHCQA) of the Senate in 2005, the Health Information Technology Promotion Act (HITPA) of the House in 2006, and the National ePrescribing Patient Safety Initiative (NEPSI) of 2007 has brought a plethora of new phrases like "electronic data interchange," "EDI translator," "ANSI X-12" and "X12 277 Claim Status Notification Transactions" etc., to the profession. Hence, healthcare informatics is now being taught in medical, dental, graduate and business schools as its importance is finally recognized.
Moreover, an emerging national Heath Information Technology (HIT) architecture; in the guise of terms, definitions, acronyms, abbreviations and standards; often puts the non-expert medical, nursing, public policy administrator or paraprofessional in a position of maximum uncertainty and minimum productivity. Unfortunately, this opinion stems from the under appreciation of HIT as a prima-fascia resource that needs to be managed by others. The Dictionary of Health Information Technology and Security will therefore help define, clarify and explain.
So too, embryonic corporate positions like Chief Medical Information Officer (CMIO) or Chief Medical Technology Officer (CMTO) continue to grow as hospitals, clinics and health systems become more committed to IT projects that demand technology savvy physician-executives. Many medical errors can be prevented, and guesswork eliminated when the Dictionary of Health Information Technology and Security is used by informed cognoscenti as well as the masses. The work contains more than 10,000 entries and code-names, with extensive bibliographic references that increase its utility as a useful tool and illustrated compendium.
Of course, authoritative linguistic sources like the Dictionary serve a vast niche. Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and e-prescribing has languished, and more than nine in ten hospitals have not yet implemented Computerized Physician Order Entry systems (CPOEs)*. And, HIT lags far behind other sectors in ease-of-use. As an educator, my task is to help students, late-adopters and adult-learners understand key medical information concepts. This daunting task is aided by the Dictionary as my charges use it, become more conscientious in their studies, and recognize its value as a tool for virtually every healthcare worker.
My suggestion is to use the Dictionary of Health Information Technology and Security frequently. You will refer to it daily.
[...]
Richard J. Mata; MD, MS, MS-CIS
Certified Medical Planner© (Hon)
Chief Medical Information Officer [CMIO]
Ricktelmed Information Systems
Assistant Professor Texas State University
San Marcos, Texas
phone: 210.341.1739
mobile: 210.778.4925
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