Long-term care is slow to adopt health information technology

While hospitals have embraced health information technology (HIT) to improve its patient service, long-term care and post-acute (LTPAC) settings have been slow to adopt the technology and install the systems necessary to improve data-sharing and patient care, notes a report from the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) for Health Information Technology.

Because many patients are discharged to LTPAC settings from hospitals, the data-sharing among various facilities is an important factor in lowering costs and improving patient care across provider settings. The report notes that these systems do require skilled staff to operate.

However, there are LTPAC facilities that do use HIT systems to provide remote patient monitoring and telehealth opportunities, especially for managing chronic diseases. The importance of HIT in LTPAC settings will continue to grow as the elder population continues to grow.

Sandra Hoban

Sandra Hoban was on I Advance Senior Care / Long-Term Living’s editorial staff for 17 years. She is one of the country’s longest-serving senior care journalists. Before joining Long-Term Living, she was a member of the promotions department at Advanstar Communications. In addition to her editorial experience, Sandi has served past roles in print and broadcast advertising as a traffic and talent coordinator.