Authors
1 Lecturer, Medical Record Education, Health Management and Economic Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. (Corresponding Author) Email: saghaeiannejad@mng.mui.ac.ir
2 PhD Student, Health Information Management, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran And Member of Health Information Technology Group, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
3 Associate Professor, Health Information Management, Health Management and Economic Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
4 Lecturer, Medical Informatics, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Abstract
Introduction: The manual and paper-based process of production and storage of medical records
in Iran have led to difficulties in filing and retrieval of the medical records. One of the usual solutions is using computerized medical records via electronic storage of paper-based medical
records. The aim of this study was to recognize using computerized medical records in nine selected hospitals.
Methods: In an observational, descriptive study, 9 hospitals in Ahvaz, Isfahan and Shiraz that
used electronic storage method to store their medical records were evaluated. Data was collected
by a checklist and a questionnaire whose validity and reliability have been previously confirmed.
Direct observation and semi-structured interviews were conducted for data collection. Data was
analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: Using computerized medical records have advantages such as accelerating storage and
retrieval of medical records, costs reduction of medical records maintenance, and improving the
security of patients' information in the studied hospitals. The most important challenges observed
in using computerized medical records were lack of proper infrastructure, using inappropriate
hardware equipments, existence of different software systems and lack of data integration.
Conclusion: Overall, the results of this study showed that the use of computerized medical
records in hospitals can enhance the retrieval and access to medical records and help solve the
problem of space shortage in medical record departments.
Keywords
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