It is obvious to me that Edgwarebury Surgery’s’ current patient record system is severely outdated and needs rapid improvement. The current system relies almost entirely on manual work, which can now easily and more efficiently be done using a modern computer. This will also save the receptionists, doctors and nurses’ time and hassle. At the moment, the records are all stored in a massive filing system and kept in the surgery until needed, which takes up space and can slow down the time taken to find information on a patient.

This is a lengthy, tedious operation that will be cut down in my new, improved system which will use a database software package and a modern PC. With a computer system, names, dates, addresses and medical information can be stored on the hard-drive of a PC, loaded up when needed and viewed in a clear form on a database program, such as Microsoft Works or Superbase. This can be achieved by typing in a database of all registered patients of the Surgery with all required information onto a database program. The information can then be filtered, sorted and edited when needed and does not require manual sorting or time consuming jobs.

It would also be possible to password protect the database file, meaning important information cannot be tampered with. Not much software will be needed. A database program is essential though, and will be used to enter and view all the patient records. A desktop publishing program could also be useful – If records need to be sent somewhere else (e. g. hospital, new surgery), they can be made to look much more presentable on a desktop publisher. The hardware needed will be the standard CPU, VDU, keyboard, mouse and printer. Other hardware, such as Digital Cameras are expensive and not necessary for keeping patient records.

Using this hardware, we can successfully run all the software required, process the data and print information when needed, perhaps in colour if money allows the surgery to purchase a colour ink-jet / laser printer. Overall, I think it is fair to say this is a much better system than the one the surgery currently uses and will greatly improve the quality, speed, efficiency and accuracy of the records. It will save the staff work and time, the patients’ time and the doctors any confusion over medical histories’ and other important information etc.