Managing electronic medical records

You will agree with me that medical information management is one of the fastest growing medical career fields today. Medical information management specialists code, analyse and protect vital private medical information. Medical information management has its history in the early 20th century when medical record librarians would store patient medical records in the basement of the hospital. There was no uniform organisational standard and many records were incomplete. Clerks were untrained and poorly paid. In 1928, the Association of Record Librarians of North America was formed to formalise the collection and management of medical records. Now known as the American Health Information Management Association, the organisation has transformed medical information management from an afterthought at most hospitals into a thriving profession.

Role – Medical information management records saves an individual’s entire medical history from one health care facility. Information may include any documented allergic reactions, surgeries, prescriptions and any medical advice that the patient may have received. Medical information management staff also analyses each chart to ensure that all information is complete and accurate. After being analysed, records are coded by professionals as part of the billing process and for statistical analysis. 

Types – There are many different types of medical information management. Each type of health care provider may collect different types of information. The medical information collected at a personal physician’s office will often involve many visits over a number of years. Medical information management at this type of provider may include checking to make sure all information is consistent across visits. Mental health medical information management is different in that there is an added burden to make sure that the information contained in the record is private. Other types of medical information management include hospital records management and insurance records management. 

Benefits – The benefits offered by medical information management are many. Without a complete, accurate medical record, a patient’s health care may suffer. By having easy access to a patient’s entire medical history, doctors may prevent drug interaction, allergic reactions and may be able to rule out diseases or symptom causes based on past medical problems. A complete and well-managed medical record can also make insurance payments faster and more accurate and can also allow for the collection of correct statistics that can improve health care for everyone. 

Electronic Medical Record – Benefits
An Electronic Medical Record (EMR) is a secured electronic file of patient history, medical transcription notes, billing information, and all other information necessary to have a complete patient profile. It is true that the electronic medical record is indicative of a faster-paced informational age in which quantities of information require more effective database infrastructure.  There are many more benefits to both the medical service provider and consumer like Speed, Storage, Security, Support, Accessibility, Affordability, Technology, Infrastructure, Versatility, Efficiency, Efficiency and Manageability. 

Finally, the potential for continuing growth in medical information management careers is high. Many health care providers are turning to electronic records in order to better maintain records and to share information between doctors, hospitals and insurance companies. As the population ages and rules governing the management of private health information become recognised and stricter here in Nigeria, the need for trained medical information management professionals will continue to grow. Dr. Oyedokun Ayodeji Oyewole is the President of Records and Information Management Awareness Foundation (RIMA Foundation), a Not-for-profit NGO.