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Medical Records
Programs that maintain and, where appropriate, provide access to the cumulative history of a person's interaction with the health care system such as the occasions on which they have been examined, evaluated or treated for an ailment. Included are medical history records, a longitudinal record of what has happened to a patient since birth including diseases, major and minor illnesses and growth history which can give a clinician a feel for what has happened before to a new patient; inpatient care medical records (hospital records) which generally include admission notes, on-service notes, progress notes, preoperative notes, operative notes, postoperative notes, procedure notes and discharge notes; and a patient's case history with a particular health care provider which usually includes information gained by a physician by asking specific questions, with the aim of obtaining information useful in formulating a diagnosis and providing medical care to the patient. The medically relevant complaints reported by the patient are referred to as symptoms, in contrast with clinical signs, which are ascertained by direct examination by medical personnel. In addition are electronic health records (or EHRs), a systematized collection of a patient's electronically stored health information in a digital format. EHRs may include a range of data including demographics, medical history, medication and allergies, immunization status, laboratory test results, radiology images, vital signs, personal statistics like age and weight, and billing information. EHR systems are designed to store data accurately and to capture the state of a patient across time. It eliminates the need to track down a patient's previous paper medical records and assists in ensuring data is up-to-date, accurate and legible. It also allows open communication between the patient and the provider, while providing privacy and security.
Outpatient Health Facilities
Health centres, clinics, departments within hospitals, and other facilities that provide walk-in, walk-out diagnostic and treatment services for people whose care does not require confinement or a hospital stay.
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Home Care/Hospice Associations
Organizations whose members are home health, hospice and personal care agencies that have affiliated for the purpose of promoting mutual interests, increasing the visibility of home care services, disseminating information to members and the general public and improving the quality, accessibility and affordability of in-home and end of life care. Home health and hospice associations may provide opportunities for personal and professional development through conferences, publications and other activities; advocate for the rights of patients, their families and caregivers and people who are bereaved; maintain referral services through which people who require home health, personal care, palliative care or hospice services are referred to member agencies; and/or provide information about employment opportunities for people working in the field.
Hospital Associations
Organizations whose members are inpatient health care facilities that have affiliated for the purpose of promoting mutual interests and improving the quality, accessibility, affordability and continuity of health care services through a program of advocacy, education, research, information and leadership. Hospital associations promote activities that improve community health status; promote coordination and collaboration among members; seek to influence provincial and national health care policy through active lobbying at provincial and federal levels; promote public understanding of health care issues; provide opportunities for ongoing professional development of staff through conferences and journals; prepare members for changes in health care financing and help members become effective advocates for their institutions and profession.
Medical Associations
Organizations whose members are doctors, dentists, nurses, chiropractors or other medical professionals who have affiliated for the purpose of promoting mutual interests and participating in medical seminars and conferences, subscribing to medical journals and taking advantage of other opportunities for professional development. Many medical associations set standards which relate to the qualifications and performance of members, accept and investigate complaints from the public regarding the practices of members and maintain referral services through which residents who require medical assistance are referred to members.
The above terms and definitions are part of the Taxonomy of Human Services, used here by permission of INFO LINE of Los Angeles.
