Exploration of an integrated system of digital imaging medical records of a hospital

Objective To explore the integration of the digital imaging medical records system and the hospital information system (HIS), for a hospital-wide information platform for digital medical records management. Methods All the medical records were classified as " to copy and not to copy" by sampling, and an item corresponding table was developed for both HIS medical record files and imaging records copying types. The imaging copying system for paper-based medical records only covers those must-copy ones, while those medical record files without need to be copied were directly transcoded via the interface to the imaging medical records system from the HIS system. This makes digital imaging medical records complete. Results The digital imaging medical record system is thus integrated, and the cost of making imaging medical records was sizably reduced without compromising the quality and integrity of medical records. Conclusions Imaging medical records produced by copying paper-based ones are integrated with those directly sent via the interface to the imaging medical records system, forming complete digital imaging records, at a much lower cost. Key words: Digital imaging medical records system; Hospital information system; Integration; Exploration