1. Through the looking glass: 21st century trauma registry innovations.
- Author
-
Walters MR, Huehl S, and Fuller K
- Subjects
- Bias, Computer Terminals, Data Collection methods, Data Collection trends, Diffusion of Innovation, Efficiency, Organizational, Forecasting, Humans, International Classification of Diseases, Michigan, Multiple Trauma diagnosis, Outcome Assessment, Health Care organization & administration, Population Surveillance methods, Time Factors, Total Quality Management organization & administration, Trauma Centers organization & administration, Traumatology organization & administration, Computer Communication Networks organization & administration, Medical Record Linkage methods, Medical Records Systems, Computerized organization & administration, Multiple Trauma epidemiology, Registries
- Abstract
Trauma registries can be invaluable tools for improving quality of care and monitoring patient outcomes, but many function below their full potential. Reliance on low-tech, manual data management methods, such as the retyping of demographic information, can lead to inefficiency, increased personnel costs, and potential error. One low-cost solution is a digital interface between the medical records coding database and the trauma registry, allowing the registrar to pull demographic information and ICD-9 diagnostic and procedure codes directly from a reliable source without re-keying them. We created a batch interface for that purpose, reducing the burden of manual data entry and decreasing the time needed to complete patient records in the registry. The interface has eliminated our backlog and allowed the trauma registrar to focus on creating timely reports to track quality indicators.
- Published
- 2006
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