Difference between revisions of "Experience with an electronic health record for a homeless population"
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| + | == Background == | ||
The health care needs of the homeless population are unique. People who are homeless are less likely to seek ambulatory medical care with their multiple medical problems until their conditions have worsened. There is a high prevalence of mental-health illness and substance abuse among this population. Certain medical conditions like diseases and disorders of the skin , human immunodeficiency virus infection, tuberculosis and gynecologic problems are more prevalent in the homeless.Homeless children have a higher incidence of injuries related to trauma and chronic diseases. Obesity is the major nutritional problem in the homeless children due to high content of carbohydrates and fat in their food sources. | The health care needs of the homeless population are unique. People who are homeless are less likely to seek ambulatory medical care with their multiple medical problems until their conditions have worsened. There is a high prevalence of mental-health illness and substance abuse among this population. Certain medical conditions like diseases and disorders of the skin , human immunodeficiency virus infection, tuberculosis and gynecologic problems are more prevalent in the homeless.Homeless children have a higher incidence of injuries related to trauma and chronic diseases. Obesity is the major nutritional problem in the homeless children due to high content of carbohydrates and fat in their food sources. | ||
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A central server running Windows NT and Shiva remote access technology are located at the BHCHP respite.Using portable computers and work stations and regular telephone lines, provider dial via modems int to this server from various remote sites in the Boston area where medical care is being delivered. | A central server running Windows NT and Shiva remote access technology are located at the BHCHP respite.Using portable computers and work stations and regular telephone lines, provider dial via modems int to this server from various remote sites in the Boston area where medical care is being delivered. | ||
| − | Implementation | + | == Implementation == |
The system was implemented in a client-server, distributed database architecture. | The system was implemented in a client-server, distributed database architecture. | ||
The EMR currently includes the following sections; demographic, Summary, Medical History, Physical Exam and Procedures, Labs, Guidelines, Case Management and Visit Notes. The fields included in these sections are the usual fields expected in the medical record (problem and medication lists, etc.) with additional fields vital for providing care for homeless population. These include ; alias, benefits, substance abuse, preveious address, homeless status,case management and guidlines for the 20 health maintenance concepts that are monitored | The EMR currently includes the following sections; demographic, Summary, Medical History, Physical Exam and Procedures, Labs, Guidelines, Case Management and Visit Notes. The fields included in these sections are the usual fields expected in the medical record (problem and medication lists, etc.) with additional fields vital for providing care for homeless population. These include ; alias, benefits, substance abuse, preveious address, homeless status,case management and guidlines for the 20 health maintenance concepts that are monitored | ||
Revision as of 01:35, 14 October 2015
Background
The health care needs of the homeless population are unique. People who are homeless are less likely to seek ambulatory medical care with their multiple medical problems until their conditions have worsened. There is a high prevalence of mental-health illness and substance abuse among this population. Certain medical conditions like diseases and disorders of the skin , human immunodeficiency virus infection, tuberculosis and gynecologic problems are more prevalent in the homeless.Homeless children have a higher incidence of injuries related to trauma and chronic diseases. Obesity is the major nutritional problem in the homeless children due to high content of carbohydrates and fat in their food sources.
An electronic medical record system was designed by the laboratory of computer science Massachusetts general hospital to try to meet the particular needs of the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP) which was established in 1985.
A central server running Windows NT and Shiva remote access technology are located at the BHCHP respite.Using portable computers and work stations and regular telephone lines, provider dial via modems int to this server from various remote sites in the Boston area where medical care is being delivered.
Implementation
The system was implemented in a client-server, distributed database architecture. The EMR currently includes the following sections; demographic, Summary, Medical History, Physical Exam and Procedures, Labs, Guidelines, Case Management and Visit Notes. The fields included in these sections are the usual fields expected in the medical record (problem and medication lists, etc.) with additional fields vital for providing care for homeless population. These include ; alias, benefits, substance abuse, preveious address, homeless status,case management and guidlines for the 20 health maintenance concepts that are monitored
