Patient Tests Record

The digitization of Laboratory is driving the need for systems to manage and organize large amounts of personal Tests data in order to drive more comprehensive care for patients across the Laboratory continuum. To encourage proper information management, new data standards and regulations are being enforced to ensure the protection of information and the use of standard processes. It has been 3 years since the NWA Laboratory first revealed their plans for a patient digital Tests record that accompanied every citizen from cradle to grave. Over that time, information management within Laboratory, including the design and development of databases, has grown in importance. Progress was slow at first but has accelerated over recent years with the advance of communications technology. This article explores the benefits of effective information management in healthcare (Including laboratory Information) and what needs to happen to ensure this technology continues to move in the right direction. Due to the many different branches and specialisms within the healthcare system, a huge number of mission-specific computer systems have been developed. Preventative technology, The big challenge with all of this data is, of course, collating it so that health professionals and patients can draw accurate conclusions and implement successful health outcomes.

Educating the next generation

The Changing face of healthcare to a more digitally connected service has increased the need for highly skilled information management and database development personnel, higher education courses clearly need to keep up with technological developments if the right calibre of graduated is to be hired. According to the report’s conclusion, “an improperly designed database could lead to the generation of inaccurate results, redundancy of data, wasted time and effort, and perpetuation of medical errors.” The experts involved also voiced their concerns that employees transitioning from a business environment into healthcare would struggle as their skills were not necessarily transferable. This suggests that the demand for specifically health-focused database and information management courses will only grow over the coming years. Accordingly, some institutions are now providing courses specifically on information management in healthcare. Keeping pace with technological advancement will be the challenge of up and coming generations of HIM professionals and the institutions training them.