A Survey on the status of the application of document imaging for storage medical records of hospitals in Iran, 2013

Abstract

Background: Today, problems such as lack of filing space, the high volume of paper documents and expedite in access to patient medical records, induced to increasing of hospital’s attention to the use of imaging technique in medical record department. The aim of this study was to survey the application of document imaging for storage of medical records of hospitals in Iran.Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in 2012-2013. Data were collected from all hospitals in Iran (890 hospitals). Instrument for data collection was a checklist that sent to hospitals by ministry of health. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics in SPSS (version 16) software.Results: The results showed that 14.9% of hospitals using document imaging for storage medical record in addition to the traditional filing approach. The most of the forms (65.9%) were Scanned using black and white method. 73.2% of the hospitals have scanned the selected medical record forms from patient record according to their policies.Conclusion: The result of the study indicates the challenges regarding the use of documents imaging approach in hospitals in Iran. Thus, the development a comprehensive guideline for implementing and using document imaging in medical record department by the ministry of health recommended.