Patient Software Key Terms

Learn key terms for finding patient software

Patient record-keeping and tracking through software helps maintain efficiency in health-care environments. Patient software used in primary care clinics, hospitals or long-term care facilities varies depending on the needs of the environment and the patient population. Some facilities need patient tracking software while others need a patient scheduling software. Still others might use a comprehensive patient record system. The following are some key terms used when describing patient software.

 

Electronic medical record (EMR)

The electronic medical record is the digital copy of one's medical information. It can contain medical history, lab work, films or diagnostic imaging results or reports from specialists. The electronic medical record is considered the legal patient record of one single organization, with multiple clinicians of the same organization contributing to it.
Try: Open Clinical discusses the electronic medical record, its key capabilities, benefits and barriers and related terms.

Electronic health record (EHR)

The electronic health record is the digital collection of patient information from multiple sources and organizations into one comprehensive patient health record. The electronic medical record (EMR) is considered a part of the electronic health record (EHR).
Try: A BNet article on electronic health records provides an explanation of electronic health records. For further reading, Software Advice discusses the difference between an EMR and an EHR.

Patient tracking software

Patient tracking software is a communication tool between departments and clinicians to manage the treatment process. It can aid in tracking the patient from admittance through diagnostics or surgery to discharge. This type of software helps departments know where the patient is at any given point in time, how long the wait or stay will be and help to coordinate discharge planning.
Try: Patient tracking software is discussed in detail at Medical Billing Software Services.

Medical practice management software

Medical practice management software is a comprehensive software program that allows you to manage patient information, scheduling, tracking, and billing. Medical practice management software often contains modules of patient scheduling, patient tracking, medical billing and electronic health record software to provide a fuller software program to meet a medical practice's needs.
Try: CTSGuides.com has a description of medical practice management software.

ASP

ASP refers to the way patient software runs. It stands for application service provider, which means that the software is web-based and is hosted by another service provider. This is in contrast to a client/server-based system, where the software is installed and run internally.
Try: Health Technology Review.com discusses the advantages and disadvantages of ASP based electronic medical record software.

HIPAA Compliance

HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. The provisions of this law protect the way patient information is handled and ensure patient privacy. When it comes to patient software, HIPAA compliance means that such software must meet standards to ensure protection of electronic patient information.
Try: Medical Software Associates describes HIPAA compliant medical software.

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