PubMed Health⌕ Search

PubMed · 1807721

Non-categorical problem lists in a primary-care information system.

Abstract

An ambulatory-care patient-tracking system has been implemented that records non-categorical problem descriptions in the outpatient problem list. The system does not restrict physicians to the use of predefined diagnostic categories. Instead, the system stores patient problems in a database as free-text records. Subsequent diagnostic categorization and coding is accomplished through prompted free-text input and appropriate reference databases. This system design allows an outpatient problem-list summary to reflect non-categorical health-status information in addition to coded medical diagnoses.

Explore related subjects

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

R Wilton. 1991. Non-categorical problem lists in a primary-care information system.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1807721/

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

Developing a national primary care-based early warning system for health protection--a surveillance tool for the future? Analysis of routinely collected data.

The increasing threat of infections with pandemic potential such as influenza has focussed attention on the information needed to inform those managing a pandemic. The Health Protection Agency, Nottingham University and EMIS have developed a new national health protection surveillance system using QRESEARCH, an established primary care-derived database, to provide timely and local information on trends in community illness and prescribing. This article describes the first year of the surveillance project. Data on consultations and prescribing were extracted from routinely generated computerized consultation records between November 2004 and December 2005. Weekly consultation and prescribing rates for a range of conditions including influenza-like illness and prescription of anti-viral drugs for influenza and vomiting were developed as 'key indicators'. These indicators were presented in a weekly bulletin showing data to strategic health authority level for use by those working in public health. The particular value of this scheme is the ability to produce timely data on illness to local level and to link prescribing to morbidity. The data were used 'real time' to reassure about lack of illness following the Buncefield Fuel Depot incident. This scheme is being further developed to provide daily local influenza-related information needed in an influenza pandemic.

Ambulatory Care Information Systems↗