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My Medical Office Database
I am currently working on a database for use in outpatient medical practice. In
the past I have used computerized medical information systems in hospitals. I
believe that eventually medical records will be mostly computerized, and it is
likely that all information will be available on the internet at some point.
A computerized system offers several advantages over paper based charts:
- Information can be retrieved easily and quickly
- Entire office data is much more portable
- Checks can be made regarding drug interactions
- Prescription writing can be as simple as 1 click without the risk of
illegibility
I decided to start this project because I feel that I can properly
incorporate many aspects into a database system. I have about 6 years (off and on)
experience programming and working with Microsoft Access. Using these skills, I
am on the way to completing a database application.
Thus far, my application offers the following features:
- Patient Database - Keeps track of all patients and pertinent demographic
information (address, phone, etc.)
- Virtual Chart
- Head Sheet - Displays Medications, Problem List, Past Medical History,
Past Surgical History, Social History, Family History, and Allergies.
All of these can be easily updated, and comments can always be added to
historical data.
- Medications - Can be easily added, discontinued, etc. Medication Names
and doses are remembered for all future prescriptions (ie you will only
have to type the name of a medication once, and then you can simply
choose it from a list). Keeps track of when a medication was started,
when the current dose was started, and when the prescription was last
renewed. Can also track nonprescription drugs without generating
prescriptions for them.
- Office Visit - Neatly organizes all past patient visits, tracks
vitals, purpose for visit, and normal documentation items. Physical exam
has drop down boxes which allow you to select from an infinite number of
default selections as well as any abnormalities entered in the past for
that specific patient.
- Labs- Tracks any number of lab collections of patient, easily programmable
ranges of normal with color coding of abnormalities.
- Imaging - Easily organizes all types of imaging with minimal input
- Procedures - Tracks procedures and health maintenance; alerts can be
set up for when preventative procedures are due.
- History - tracks all medications that have been discontinued, and any
patient history that has been removed from other parts of the chart
- Prescription Printing - Can print medications renewed or started on day of
visit, will add physician information to printout. I would like to
eventually have this fax or email the prescription to the pharmacy of the
patient's choice.
- Charge Sheet - not complete yet
- Drug interactions - not complete yet.
Check out the Demonstration
or Download the Demo
All photographs © 2000, David Stultz
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