An Analysis of the Loss of Outpatient Laboratory Reports at the USAF Medical Center Wright-Patterson, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
Abstract
Air Force regulations define patient medical records as comprehensive and permanent histories. The objective of this research effort was to determine the extent of loss of laboratory reports and to recommend methods to reduce this loss. The authors concluded that 15.9 per cent of the laboratory reports generated for outpatients at the USAF Medical Center, Wright-Patterson AF Base, Ohio, were 'lost.' That is, the reports were never filed in the patient's medical record. The authors further concluded that whenever a laboratory report was lost, the money spent to conduct the analysis was wasted. The authors made two recommendations. The first was that an embossed data plate be used to record correct patient identification data on all forms. The second recommendation was that increased managerial attention be given to the Outpatient Medical Records Section. (Modified author abstract)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1974
- Accession Number
- AD0785440
Entities
People
- Jacob M. Younginer
- Ronnie J. Mull
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology