Question

Many health care organizations and other businesses use database software to manage the flow of information and make important decisions.

This assignment requires Level 2 Writing Guidelines.

Assume you have been asked to serve on a project team for end-users of database software. Your current employer or a fictitious local medical office wants to use an electronic method to store demographic information (person’s name, address, contact information, insurance information, etc) as well as personal health history (clinical diagnosis, tests results, appointment notes, etc). This software needs to be accessible by all employees in the office. Research various database applications used in health care settings. Prepare a 1-2 page report to:

1.     Identify all of the types of information you would need related to patients (e.g. address, insurance information, test results, etc.)

2.     Research various health care database applications currently available. Select two to compare that may satisfy the medical office’s information management needs.

·         Describe how the two databases work and why they are used.

·         Your comparison should end with your assessment of which would work better for your facility.

At the end of your paper, provide complete references of all sources of information used in your paper.

Answer 1

1. The patient's information that will be required for database application are the demographic data- age, gender, origin or race, residential address, marital status, employment status, information of other family members to contact in emergency; administrative data- information about insurance like membership and eligibility, copayments and deductibles from the policy in certain expenses, and coverage and claim permissible; information of health risks and status- lifestyle and habits, generic illnesses and allergies and current medication patient is on.

2. The two database applications used in healthcare are EMR and EHR. Though many take them as one and same thing but the two are different. Whereas EHR- Electronic Health Records is the wider database having more detailed and total health information of the patient and EMR- Electronic Medical Records contains only the medical information giving it a narrow definition. In simple words it can be said that EMR is a part of EHR database.

For my facility I would use EHR database as provide with information that is more accurate comprehensive and convinient. They give full detail of the patient's history and that information can be searched recalled and shared electronically with other medical applications and providers if required. This makes the application very easily accessible giving more scope to collect data and use it in the best possible way.