When someone breaks an arm, undergoes heart surgery,
receives medicine to treat a sore throat, or simply gets his yearly physical, a
record of his physician's treatments, observations, and notes is created and
saved. His medical record includes information concerning his symptoms and
medical history, previous medical exam reports, x-ray and laboratory test
results, doctors' diagnoses, and a list of past treatment plans. This
information is crucial to providing quality healthcare.
The health information technology field employs
professionals and technicians who are responsible for the organization of a
patient's medical record. Health information technicians begin this assembly
process by verifying that a patient's initial medical charts are complete. All
forms must be completed, identified, and signed. Then, all this information
must be entered into a computer. Additionally, health information professionals
must regularly communicate with physicians to ensure accuracy, clarify
diagnoses, and obtain any supplementary information needed to update a
patient's file.
Until very recently, all medical records were
paper documents. Complex information for millions of patients was managed
exclusively with files, folders, and forms. However, a new government
initiative aims to apply the same sophisticated technology we use for actual healthcare
towards managing and utilizing health information. This national push for
advanced health information technology is combined with an enormous need for
qualified healthcare professionals - making this a smart career move indeed.
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