Remote data entry

Abstract: An information management and synchronous communications system and method facilitates database equilibrium and synchronization with wired, wireless and Web-based systems, user-friendly and efficient generation of computerized menus and reservations with handwritten/voice modifications for restaurants and other applications that utilize equipment with nonstandard graphical formats, display sizes and/or applications for use in remote data entry, information management and communication with host computer, digital input device or remote pager via standard hardwired connection, the internet, a wireless link, printer or the like. Various operations employing automated telephone calls and/or messaging may, for instance, be performed. For example, desired reservation and/or appointment information may be automatically converted and conveyed to one or more entities via automated telephone call and/or messaging. As another example, information regarding reservation acceptability may be received and automatically converted via automated telephone call and/or messaging. Telephones may, for instance, be the only equipment required by the entities.

Abstract: Objectives: To provide an overview of trends in research, developments and implementations of the computerized patient record (CPR) of the last two years. Methods: We surveyed the medical informatics literature, spanning the years 2004-2005, focusing on publications on CPRs. Results: The main trends revealed were: 1) the development of technologies to realize privacy and security goals or remote data entry and access to CPRs; 2) investigations into how to enhance the quality and reuse of CPR data; 3) the development and evaluation of decision support functions to be integrated with CPRs; 4) evaluations of the impact of CPRs on clinicians, patients, clinical work settings and patient outcomes; and 5) the further development and use of standards to move towards shared electronic health records (EHRs). Conclusion: The CPR is playing a growing part in medical informatics research and evaluation studies, but the goal of establishing a comprehensive lifelong EHR is still a long way off. In moving forward to EHRs, convergence of EHR standards seems required to realize true interoperability of health care applications. User acceptance of present-day CPRs (for all categories of users) and compatibility with work patterns has not been achieved yet, and can only be realized by giving these goals high priority. This will require substantial resources for in-depth work flow analysis, development and evaluation of CPRs. Besides this, the implementation of effective CPRs asks for health care organizations that are willing to invest in new developments and to contribute to evaluation studies, to further improve CPRs’ functionalities and enhance their use in practice. Haux R, Kulikowski C, editors. IMIA Yearbook of Medical Informatics 2006. Methods Inf Med 2006; 45 Suppl 1: S29-39.

Abstract: Uniformly formatted sets of data are collected from a remote site and electronically transmitted back to a central collection site. In this process, data to be collected is specified. Then, a questionnaire specification file is generated. The questionnaire specification file defines the file specification and associated data structure for creating questionnaires. A telecommunications link is established between a central computing/data processing unit at the central collection site and a remote computing/data processing unit at the remote site. The questionnaire specification file is electronically transmitted to the remote data processing unit. In the remote unit, the defined file specification and associated data structure in the questionnaire specification file is used to create at least one questionnaire. The questionnaire is completed at the remote site by entering questionnaire data into the remote unit. The data is then transmitted in report format back to the central unit at the central collection site.