The computerized patient record.

Abstract

Interest in electronic medical records and computerized patient records began with a desire to efficiently retrieve data for outcomes research. One of the best ways to improve medical care is through good clinical outcomes research, which requires accurate, detailed clinical information. In investigating different systems for recording and codifying the information, the authors found that no real systems existed. The detailed information collected for outcomes research could be used for a variety of other processes in the business of health care and is thus worthy of being efficiently recorded.