Database Characteristics and the Language of Health Information
MHM514
Health Information Systems
Module 4
Database Characteristics and the Language of Health Information
Submitted to:
Dr. Donald Rouse
Submitted by:
Curtis Green
Abstract
This case study is about me being the lead person at a multi-facility regional hospital. My committee has been tasked with evaluating the possibility of a new health information system that will enable the hospital to electronically collect and share patient medical history information among various hospital centers and departments. Currently, each hospital center maintains paper copies and files of patient records, which are separately managed and stored at each facility. Very few of the electronically based information system are integrated between the various centers and locations. To add to the challenge, the CIO informs me that most of the members on the committee have very limited experience with information systems and databases. However, the CIO is aware that you are studying health informatics, so she has asked you to help familiarize the committee with fundamental concepts related to databases systems and relevant health information standards. In addition I will explore three possible vendors that offer electronic medical record products and compare and contrast the functions of three and list the barriers of the implementation process.
Database Characteristics and the Language of Health Information
The purpose of a database is to provide an organized model of maintaining, storing, managing and retrieving information. The concept is largely based on the use of tables to hold information much like that of a spreadsheet. These tables are arranged in columns and rows where each row pertains to a specific dataset or record and each column represents a specific attribute of the data set. Although databases are similar to spreadsheets, databases are much more powerful and useful in the way data is manipulated, gathered and presented. Database structures
Health Information Systems
Module 4
Database Characteristics and the Language of Health Information
Submitted to:
Dr. Donald Rouse
Submitted by:
Curtis Green
Abstract
This case study is about me being the lead person at a multi-facility regional hospital. My committee has been tasked with evaluating the possibility of a new health information system that will enable the hospital to electronically collect and share patient medical history information among various hospital centers and departments. Currently, each hospital center maintains paper copies and files of patient records, which are separately managed and stored at each facility. Very few of the electronically based information system are integrated between the various centers and locations. To add to the challenge, the CIO informs me that most of the members on the committee have very limited experience with information systems and databases. However, the CIO is aware that you are studying health informatics, so she has asked you to help familiarize the committee with fundamental concepts related to databases systems and relevant health information standards. In addition I will explore three possible vendors that offer electronic medical record products and compare and contrast the functions of three and list the barriers of the implementation process.
Database Characteristics and the Language of Health Information
The purpose of a database is to provide an organized model of maintaining, storing, managing and retrieving information. The concept is largely based on the use of tables to hold information much like that of a spreadsheet. These tables are arranged in columns and rows where each row pertains to a specific dataset or record and each column represents a specific attribute of the data set. Although databases are similar to spreadsheets, databases are much more powerful and useful in the way data is manipulated, gathered and presented. Database structures
References: Blair, J. S. (1999). An overview of healthcare information standards. Retrieved May 15, 2010, from http://lists.essential.org/med-privacy/msg00186.html Unified medical language system (2004) National Library of Medicine. Retrieved on May 15, 2010 from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/factsheets/umls.html www.mckession.com www.epic.com www.medstar.com