title: [Use of computers for patient data and billing].
abstract: The security and speed with which data can be handled in a medical software context depends on the kind of filing and sorting codes used. Thus software producers can be classified by how good the follow-up program is, as well by the quality of the filing and sorting codes applied. Using a sorting code that is composed of patients' initials, partially enlarged by their data of birth, is not sufficient to fulfill the demand for user comfort and input-security. An alternative often used, a patient number, demands a highly cooperative patient, who keeps his special number in mind and presents it when visiting the doctor's office. When used as a unique filing code, if that number is missing at the patient check-in counter in the office, an additional search must be made in a book listing patients. Besides wasting a lot of time, this kind of filing system is too insecure and unreliable. The best searching and filing code in medical software should be composed of parts of a patient's name, family name and date of birth. Large and small numbers should be accepted by the input window. The amount of matching codes should be minimized and selecting the patient in question should be done by clicking the mouse. A definite advantage in using a computer in the office is to manage routine data. Addresses, telephone numbers, insurance companies, drugs, therapy, mailing addresses, etc. must be made exclusively the computer's tasks. In this way, the speed of handling and data security can be improved. The benefits from an office computer will grow.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dilger
mesh_terms: D003219:Confidentiality; D001330:Electronic Data Processing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008838:Microcomputers; D009885:Ophthalmology; D010350:Patient Credit and Collection / Q000379:methods*; D011216:Practice Management, Medical / Q000379:methods*; D012984:Software
vernacular_title: Computereinsatz für Patientenerfassung und Abrechnungswesen.