Mehrdad Farzandipour; Abbas Sheikhtaheri; Monireh Sadeghi Jabali
Volume 9, Issue 5 , November and December 2012, , Pages 646-654
Abstract
Introduction: Based on individual independence rights, patients can refrain from being treated orcan voluntarily discontinue their treatment after receiving full information. This study aimed toreview the reasons of treatment refusal and the status of informed refusals for patients.Methods: This was ...
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Introduction: Based on individual independence rights, patients can refrain from being treated orcan voluntarily discontinue their treatment after receiving full information. This study aimed toreview the reasons of treatment refusal and the status of informed refusals for patients.Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. The study population included 135patients who refused to be treated in university hospitals of Kashan (except for the Psychiatricward) during summer 2010. Data were collected through a 35-item questionnaire by means ofinterviewing. The data were analyzed using SPSS software.Results: The most important common reasons for treatment refusals were patients’ inappropriatefeelings for hospitalization continuation (83%), low quality of hospital services (49%) andreceiving advices from their friends and families (35.5%). Providing information before signingthe consent form (64.2%), understandability of the consent form (69.2%) and interaction betweenthe patient and the physician (72%) were items with adequate or somewhat adequate statusmentioned by the patients.Conclusion: Improving status of hospitalization, mental condition, and patient tendency to behospitalized and also promoting health quality can result in decreasing personal satisfaction fordischarges against medical advices. To improve the status of informed refusals, more informationabout alternatives, their benefits and complications, and content of consent forms should beprovided to patients. Physicians should understand patients’ reasons to refuse treatment and try toeliminate obstacles and persuade them to continue their treatments.
Farahnaz Sadoughi; Abbas Sheikhtaheri
Volume 8, Issue 3 , July and August 2011
Abstract
Due to the complexity of medical decision making, the application of information systems to support clinical decisions has increased. In this regard, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) is significant. This article discusses the opportunities and challenges of these systems. Technology limitations, ...
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Due to the complexity of medical decision making, the application of information systems to support clinical decisions has increased. In this regard, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) is significant. This article discusses the opportunities and challenges of these systems. Technology limitations, cost, expert maintenance, clinical data entry, some issues in knowledge acquisition and knowledge engineering, modeling of medical knowledge, accuracy of the systems and the methods to validate the systems, errors in the systems and accountability, the limited scope of the systems, as well as the necessity of integrating AI systems in routine practice are the main challenges that should be overcome or adequately answered to increase the application of these systems.Keywords: Artificial intelligence; Expert System; Neutral Networks (Computer); Medical Decision Making, Computer-Assisted.
Fatemeh Rouzbahani; Abbas Sheykhtaheri; Mehrdad Farzandipour; Fatemeh Rangraz Jeddi; Zohreh Mobarak Ghamsari
Volume 8, Issue 2 , May and June 2011
Abstract
Introduction: The goal of Training activities is to grow potential abilities and intelligence in human. Evaluation of Training Service has main role in achieving qualified educational activities and increasing students’ skills. Therefore, this study evaluated the performance of training educators ...
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Introduction: The goal of Training activities is to grow potential abilities and intelligence in human. Evaluation of Training Service has main role in achieving qualified educational activities and increasing students’ skills. Therefore, this study evaluated the performance of training educators from points of view of medical record students in Kashan University of Medical Sciences in 2005-6.Methods: In this descriptive study, medical record students from all levels of associate and bachelor degree including 21 associate and 20 undergraduate students of bachelor degree in the second semester of 2005-2006, were enrolled. A questionnaire consisting of ten questions with very good to weak responses, with confirmed validity and reliability, was used. Totally 328 questionnaires were distributed to evaluate all training instructors (8 cases), from which 205 questionnaires were returned.Results: Most of the students (71.2%) considered the controlling of students’ absent and present as very good score. Respecting to Islamic and moral rules (69.7%), coming on time (67.8%), answering to students’ questions (60.5%), dominating to practical skills (60%), expressing theorical explanations for practical skills (57.1%), explain trainer's tasks (57.1%), being careful in doing trainers’ tasks (55.6%), following trainers’ problems (52.7%), supervising on learning (51.2%), were in next stages.Conclusion: Totally, students evaluated training educators’ performance in very good level. It seems that attention to the factors like following trainers’ problems, being careful in doing trainers’ tasks and supervising on his/her learning can improve learning quality more and more.Keywords: Medical Records; Training; Trainee; Evaluation.
Mehrdad Farzandipour; Abbas Sheikhtaheri; Laila Shokrizadeh Arani
Volume 7, Issue 4 , December 2010
Abstract
Introduction: Using hospital databases is extremely depended on an accurate classification that is based on clinical coding. We aimed to determine the validity of procedural coding in teaching hospitals.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we selected 246 medical records from Kashan hospitals in 1386 ...
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Introduction: Using hospital databases is extremely depended on an accurate classification that is based on clinical coding. We aimed to determine the validity of procedural coding in teaching hospitals.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we selected 246 medical records from Kashan hospitals in 1386 and recoded procedures. Procedures, coders’ information, and documentation principals were recorded in a valid checklist. Accuracy was determined by agreement between original codes and recodes. We analyzed the data using SPSS through X2, fisher test, OR, and CI 95% for OR.Results: There were 46 (18.7%) errors in procedure codes. Using the coding book significantly accompanied more code errors; however, there were fewer errors in records which coders checked codes with tabular index. Documenting more information decreases the errors (not significant). There were fewer errors in readable records. In addition, clear abbreviations reduced errors.Conclusion: We can trust on procedure databases. Better documenting the procedure details and factors related to coders can increase the quality of procedure coding and databases.Keywords: Classifications; Coding; Files; Medical Records.
Abbas Sheikhtaheri; Khalil Kimiafar; Ahmad Barati Marnani
Volume 7, Issue 2 , June 2010
Abstract
Introduction: Obeying patient rights is dependent upon the knowledge of healthcare providers about ethical and legal aspects of healthcare. This study aimed to determine the knowledge of physicians, nurses and medical record personnel about legal aspects of medical records in teaching hospitals affiliated ...
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Introduction: Obeying patient rights is dependent upon the knowledge of healthcare providers about ethical and legal aspects of healthcare. This study aimed to determine the knowledge of physicians, nurses and medical record personnel about legal aspects of medical records in teaching hospitals affiliated to Kashan University of Medical Sciences.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 325 healthcare personnel including physicians, nurses and medical record personnel were surveyed by a valid questionnaire designed based on Iranian laws and referenced materials. The questions were related to legal aspects of informed consent, confidentiality, and issuing certificates. We analyzed the data through the mean score (± SD) of correct responses.Results: The knowledge level of participants was moderate about legal aspect of informed consent (3.78 ± 1.36 from 8 points), confidentiality (1.45 ± 0.97 from 4 points) and issuing certificates (3.27 ± 1.79 from 9 points). Totally, the knowledge level was moderate (8.51 ± 2.83 from 21 points). Physicians had more knowledge and nurses less.Conclusion: Educating legal aspects related to medical records including confidentiality, informed consent, and issuing certificates for all of healthcare providers especially for nurses seems necessary.Keywords: Awareness; Legal Aspects; Medical Records; Confidentiality; Patient Satisfaction.
Abbas Sheikhtaheri; Mehrdad Farzandipour
Volume 6, Issue 2 , September 2009
Abstract
Introduction: Patients’ decision-making and legal capacity are major factors of informed consent considered as a basis of medical ethics. This study aimed to determine the undergoing surgery inpatients capacity to sign the consent form and admission clerks’ performance in taking the form ...
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Introduction: Patients’ decision-making and legal capacity are major factors of informed consent considered as a basis of medical ethics. This study aimed to determine the undergoing surgery inpatients capacity to sign the consent form and admission clerks’ performance in taking the form in teaching hospitals in Kashan. Methods: In this cross sectional study, 300 random inpatients and admission clerks in 3 hospitals were observed through a checklist to determine the patients’ legal capacity to sign the consent form and admission clerks’ performance. We analyzed the data through SPSS software with χ2 test. Results: Only 55% patients singed themselves the consent form, however, 80% patients could sign it legally. In addition, 3.6% patients who signed the consent were not allowed to sign it. In addition, 59.3% surrogates were not allowed to sign the consent form. Admission clerks did not encourage 98.7% patients (surrogates) to read the consent form; also staffs did not give any opportunity to 75.3% patients (surrogates) for reading the form. Admission staffs did not control the legal relationship of surrogates who signed the consent form. Conclusion: Explaining the consent form to patients (surrogates) and more attention to legal capacity of consenter, also, documenting the policy to taking the consent form seems to be necessary.Keywords: Patient Satisfaction; Surgery; Patient Admission; Hospital, Teaching.
Abbas Sheikhtaheri; Hamid Moghaddasi
Volume 5, Issue 1 , March 2008
Abstract
Abstract Introduction: Nowadays, importance of health information and managing health information resources is growing. Managing information resources requires a variety of knowledge and skills. So, information managers find themselves as a valuable person in health care organizations. This article ...
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Abstract Introduction: Nowadays, importance of health information and managing health information resources is growing. Managing information resources requires a variety of knowledge and skills. So, information managers find themselves as a valuable person in health care organizations. This article aimed to overview the importance, roles, duties, and organizational position of information managers in health care organizations. Conclusion: Information managers would be as future powerful strategists in health care organizations; to this end, they must furnish themselves to a variety of knowledge and skills such as information management, information technology, and related technical issues, management capabilities and understanding clinical processes. Keywords: Information Management; Managers; Delivery of Healthcare; Organizations
