Related Experiment Videos
Implementing computerized tracking at a community health center: challenges and solutions
W P Moran1, J L Wofford, V Hamrick
1Department of Internal Medicine, Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest University, NC.
Proceedings. Symposium on Computer Applications in Medical Care
|January 1, 1993
Summary
A new computerized tracking system efficiently manages preventive care and chronic diseases in community health centers. This system reduces manual data entry and lowers operational costs by using optical mark-sense scanners.
Area of Science:
- Health Informatics
- Community Health Systems
- Information Management
Background:
- Community health centers require robust systems for managing patient care.
- Efficient tracking of preventive care and chronic diseases is crucial for population health.
- Integrating clinical data with administrative systems presents challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To implement and evaluate a computerized tracking system for preventive and chronic disease management.
- To assess the system's impact on data collection efficiency and cost reduction.
- To explore the integration of clinical tracking with existing billing systems.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of a PC-based local area network system interfaced with a mainframe.
- Database construction using historical billing data and ongoing updates via optical mark-sense scanners.
- Utilizing custom-designed encounter forms for data capture.
Main Results:
- Successful implementation of a dual-purpose tracking system.
- Expanded clinical data collection with reduced manual data entry.
- Demonstrated reduction in ongoing system operational costs.
Conclusions:
- Computerized tracking systems can enhance chronic disease and preventive care management.
- Optical mark-sense technology offers an efficient method for clinical data capture.
- System integration can lead to significant cost savings in healthcare settings.