Dataset Information

Open-source point-of-care electronic medical records for use in resource-limited settings: systematic review and questionnaire surveys.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Point-of-care electronic medical records (EMRs) are a key tool to manage chronic illness. Several EMRs have been developed for use in treating HIV and tuberculosis, but their applicability to primary care, technical requirements and clinical functionalities are largely unknown.

Objectives

This study aimed to address the needs of clinicians from resource-limited settings without reliable internet access who are considering adopting an open-source EMR.

Study eligibility criteria

Open-source point-of-care EMRs suitable for use in areas without reliable internet access.

Study appraisal and synthesis methods

The authors conducted a comprehensive search of all open-source EMRs suitable for sites without reliable internet access. The authors surveyed clinician users and technical implementers from a single site and technical developers of each software product. The authors evaluated availability, cost and technical requirements.

Results

The hardware and software for all six systems is easily available, but they vary considerably in proprietary components, installation requirements and customisability.

Limitations

This study relied solely on self-report from informants who developed and who actively use the included products.

Conclusions and implications of key findings

Clinical functionalities vary greatly among the systems, and none of the systems yet meet minimum requirements for effective implementation in a primary care resource-limited setting. The safe prescribing of medications is a particular concern with current tools. The dearth of fully functional EMR systems indicates a need for a greater emphasis by global funding agencies to move beyond disease-specific EMR systems and develop a universal open-source health informatics platform.

SUBMITTER: Millard PS

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3391372 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Open-source point-of-care electronic medical records for use in resource-limited settings: systematic review and questionnaire surveys.

Millard Peter S PS Bru Juan J Berger Christopher A CA

BMJ open 20120704 4

<h4>Background</h4>Point-of-care electronic medical records (EMRs) are a key tool to manage chronic illness. Several EMRs have been developed for use in treating HIV and tuberculosis, but their applicability to primary care, technical requirements and clinical functionalities are largely unknown.<h4>Objectives</h4>This study aimed to address the needs of clinicians from resource-limited settings without reliable internet access who are considering adopting an open-source EMR.<h4>Study eligibilit ...[more]

PMID: 22763661

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Project description:BackgroundAlthough laparoscopic surgery has made remarkable progress and become the standard approach for various surgical procedures worldwide over the past 30 years, its establishment in low-resource settings, particularly in public hospitals, has been challenging. The lack of equipment and trained expertise has hindered its widespread adoption in these settings. Cholecystectomy is one of the most commonly performed procedures using laparoscopy world wide AIM: The aim of the study is to determine whether laparoscopic cholecystectomy is feasible in a resource challenged setting METHODS: The research focused on individuals who underwent laparoscopic or open cholecystectomies at Yekatit 12 Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, over a one-year period. Comprehensive data collection was conducted prospectively, encompassing both intraoperative and postoperative parameters. Follow-up was carried out via phone calls. The surgical procedures employed innovative techniques, including the reuse of sterilized single-use equipment and the utilization of local resources. The evaluation involved a comparison of demographic information, intraoperative details (such as critical view determination and operative duration), and postoperative complications, including assessments of pain and wound infections RESULTS: From August 2021 to September 2022, 119 patients were assessed. Among these patients, 65 (54.6%) underwent open cholecystectomies, while the remaining 54 (45.4%) underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomies. The average duration of the laparoscopic cholecystectomies was 90.7 min, which is 17.7 min behind the open. Patients in the laparoscopy group had significantly shorter hospital stays than the open group, and 94% were discharged by post operative day 2. The conversion rate from laparoscopic to open surgery was determined to be 3.3% CONCLUSION: To sum up, the safe execution of laparoscopic cholecystectomies is feasible in public hospitals and settings with limited resources, given adequate training and resource distribution. The study findings showcased superior outcomes, including reduced hospitalization duration and fewer complications, while maintaining comparable levels of operative duration and patient satisfaction in both groups.

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Dataset Information

Open-source point-of-care electronic medical records for use in resource-limited settings: systematic review and questionnaire surveys.

Background

Objectives

Study eligibility criteria

Study appraisal and synthesis methods

Results

Limitations

Conclusions and implications of key findings

Publications

Open-source point-of-care electronic medical records for use in resource-limited settings: systematic review and questionnaire surveys.

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