Chapter 1 An Overview of Informatics in Healthcare 1) Healthcare today should address the Quintuple Aim. What of the following best demonstrates how healthcare information technology might be used to help address disparities in care? A) Collect data elements that could be used to identify vulnerable individuals B) Use collected data to identify vulnerable individuals C) Incorporate GPS locators into predictions D) A and B Answer: D Explanation: A) Many demographic and other relevant data elements are/or could easily be collect that could be used to identify vulnerable individuals. B) Collected data can be used and leveraged to identify vulnerable individuals. C) Location may be an indicator of risk but zip code alone does not indicate vulnerability. Other factors that include familial predisposition, occupational risks, economic level, personal health habits, living conditions, and community support all factor into determination of vulnerability. D) Both A and B together comprise the best response. Page Ref: 1-2 Cognitive Level: Applying QSEN Grad. Competencies: A3, B1 AACN Essen. Competencies: 8.1g,h; 8.2i; 8.3g 2) Which of the following best reflects benefits realized from the use of health information technology? A) Improved safety, improved efficiencies, decreased clinician documentation times B) Improved safety, improved efficiencies, improved charge capture, improved communication C) Improved safety, improved efficiencies, improved protection of personal health information D) Improved safety, improved efficiencies, significant reduction in costs for care, improved protection of patient information Answer: B Explanation: A) HIT can result in improved safety through measures such as positive patient identification and may improve efficiencies but clinician documentation burden is an issue seen with poorly designed and poorly used systems. B) HIT can result in improved safety through positive patient identification, alerts, and similar measures. HIT may improve some efficiencies such as improved charge capture and shortened revenue cycle and theoretically improves communication. C) HIT can result in improved safety and improved efficiencies in some respects but despite safeguards to protect patient health information it also increases vulnerabilities in some respects. D) Despite its promise to significantly reduce costs for care costs associated with the purchase and maintenance of HIT, among other U.S. issues have not resulted in significant reduction in costs for care. Page Ref: 1-2