Abstract
In order to build a computer-based patient record (CPR) system suitable for use in solo and small group practice settings it is necessary to use development methods that minimize cost. Design complexity is a major source of high cost. Reducing complexity should result in lower development, deployment and maintenance costs as well as higher reliability. We have developed a simplified relational model and have used that model, in conjunction with a controlled vocabulary, to implement a CPR that can capture and store patient examinations and other forms of clinical notes as well as laboratory and other test results. The information can be viewed in a familiar document format and it can accessed for other types of processing using standard Structured Query Language (SQL) techniques. The database, as implemented, uses inexpensive components resulting in a system that is not prohibitively expensive for solo practitioners and small groups. In addition the architecture is scaleable and can accommodate very large numbers of patients and practitioners.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Essin D. J. Intelligent processing of loosely structured documents as a strategy for organizing electronic health care records. Methods Inf Med. 1993 Aug;32(4):265–268. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Lowe H. J., Buchanan B. G., Cooper G. F., Vries J. K. Building a medical multimedia database system to integrate clinical information: an application of high-performance computing and communications technology. Bull Med Libr Assoc. 1995 Jan;83(1):57–64. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]