| Computers and technology have long played a | | | | regulations and guidelines regarding keeping |
| role in the medical system. In more recent | | | | track of medical records with specialized |
| years, however, computers have started to | | | | software. The primary goal of the act was to |
| become an increasingly relied upon method for | | | | maintain patient privacy while still allowing |
| helping to keep patient records straight and | | | | medical professionals to take advantage of |
| for keeping people healthy. In fact, the use | | | | the conveniences technology provides. |
| of computer sciences combined with the | | | | |
| information sciences in the medical field has | | | | Since then, the Certification Commission for |
| become so prevalent that a term has been | | | | Healthcare Information Technology (CCHIT) was |
| developed to describe this merging of fields: | | | | formed through the United States Department |
| health informatics. | | | | of Health and Human Services. This non-profit |
| | | | organization has developed a set of standards |
| Health informatics, also referred to as | | | | regarding electronic health records and the |
| medical informatics, focuses primarily on the | | | | networks that support them. Those vendors |
| use of computers and information science to | | | | that meet these standards receive |
| help acquire, store, and retrieve information | | | | certification through the organization. In |
| in both biomedicine and health in general. | | | | 2006, the organization certified 22 |
| This may involve communication amongst and | | | | electronic health record products that have |
| between medical facilities and professionals, | | | | been approved for use. |
| retrieving current information regarding | | | | |
| treatment methods for certain disorders, and | | | | Computers are playing an increasingly |
| even helping medical professionals diagnose a | | | | important role within the medical field. With |
| disease. It may also involve the sharing of | | | | their help, medical professionals are capable |
| patient information amongst specialists in | | | | of providing more effective and efficient |
| order to give the patient the best treatment | | | | care to their patients. With the many |
| possible. | | | | standards, guidelines, and regulations set |
| | | | forth through government bodies and |
| With the use of computers in the medical | | | | organizations, the practice is likely to |
| system becoming increasingly common, the | | | | become even more widespread while |
| United States congress passed the Health | | | | simultaneously protecting the rights of |
| Insurance Portability and Accountability Act | | | | patients. |
| (HIPPAA) in 1006. This act set forth certain | | | | |