Health professionals, hospitals, along with other medical facilities, all maintain records of patient activity. This is undoubtedly to the benefit of the patient, because the files are a single source for accessing the past history of the individual. As a result of modern day technology, these types of records are no longer just paper copies inside a filing cabinet drawer someplace, but instead, can be shared by way of electronic transmission as well. Here are some examples of modern day medical record storage systems.
Medical Record Storage Database
Among the most common methods of keeping patient records is the modern patient database. The vast majority of medical databases not only allow input of data from the paper copies of blood tests, prescribed medication records and various other test results, they also make it simple to search for specific pieces of information. For instance, when there is a need to quickly identify any allergies associated with a particular patient, it is simply a matter of being able to access the patient record and carrying out a quick search. It is not necessary to wade through numerous pages of data before coming to the information that is required immediately.
Together with the database, there is also a method of scanning hard copy pages and building an electronic file utilizing those same pages. The file can be stored under the patient’s name on a hard disk drive, or perhaps cloned off to some type of remote storage, such as a CDR. The scanned pages may be printed out as required, and will occupy just a small fraction of the space needed for paper files.
Electronic Medical Record Storage Facilities
An alternative method of medical record storage nowadays is remote data storage sites. Electronic records can be uploaded and archived on a remote server. This means that in the event of some disaster at the health care facility, the files are not damaged. Because the records on the remote hosting server can be accessed from any computer with an Internet connection, using the encrypted code keys, the data files remain usable, come what may.
Permanent medical record storage methods of today not only help to protect the integrity of patient records but also make it possible to transfer data quickly in an emergency situation. This is very important, because every second could mean the difference between life and death for an individual who is seriously injured and in need of immediate treatment.