Database Management

Denise Green

June 23, 2013

What is Database Management?

Database Management is: “The ability to manage a database so as to create, modify, delete, and view given data as necessary”.

What is data?It is raw facts and figures

Considered by itself the facts and figures are meaningless and pose little value to the treating

physician.

Database Management Systems is a way of communicating health information from a paper medical record to an

electronic medical record system that can be accessed by hospitals and physicians to help a physician with medical

decision making.

Electronic Health Record is an electronic system designed to support users by providing accessibility to complete and accurate data, alerts, reminders, clinical decision

support systems, links to medical knowledge and other aids

What is a database?

• A large amount of data stored in a computer• Serves as a tool to process data into

information

Steps to receiving data:• Patient makes an appointment with the

physician.• Checks in at the reception desk,

completes a personal History and Physical form.

• The receptions enters this information into the data base.

• The nurse triages the patient, takes vitals, blood pressure, pulse, height/weight.

• Physician treats patient and documents all treatments into the database. Labs, x-rays, prescriptions, diagnostic tests and plan of care.

All this data is now locked in a permanent electronic medical record and is stored on a database system to be saved for future visits.

Later, the patient is admitted into the hospital, he is unresponsive and cannot give a medical history. The attending physician can access the medical record from the Primary

Care Physicians office to get the proper medical history.

Being connected to a shared database system, treatment of this patient was more effective and efficient in saving the patients life.

How is Data Controlled?

• Concurrency control• Access Control• Integrity control

Concurrency ControlThe ability of a database to resolve a conflict between two simultaneous uses of the same portion of the same database.

Example: Two people trying to schedule an appointment on the same time slotThe system will automatically block one from being able to access that time slot.

Access Control

Involves the level of permission granted to a particular user.

Example: A receptionist at check-in does not need to have access to a patient’s lab results. The system will block access and record a log as to who tried to access this information.

Integrity Control

The ability of the database management system to check all entered data against specified constraints or rules and to determine whether there is inconsistency.

Example: The system would eliminate scheduling a patient on a day when the physician is out of the office.

Avoid Unnecessary Information

• Data Standards• Information System (interface)• Electronic Data Interchange

Data Standards

• Uniform uses of common terms and methods for sharing data.

Example: Data standard for entering a patients date of birth of March 21, 1964 is 03211964

Information System (Interface)

A set of connecting and communicating computers, devices and software that supports the delivery of patient care and the day-to-day business of health care. An interface system allows the two different systems to talk to each other.Example: A MRI image may require images to be uploaded from a different program, the interface allows the MRI system to read and upload the image into the physicians system.

Electronic Date Interchange

A method of electronic mail messaging conveyed between computers without manual intervention.

Example: Billing a claim to an insurance company is used to send claim to the company by means of an “email” system. This is recorded in the patients financial history of the chart and can be tracked for payment.

Database systems are the future of improving healthcare. With the growing concern for privacy and better healthcare, these systems are advancing

quickly. The future of patient care will only be a click away.

• Reference: • Google (2013) retrieved from google

images.com• McWay, D (2000) Today’s health information

management, an integrated approach, Clifton, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning