In the 1960s, a doctor named Lawrence L. Weed first described the concept of computerized or electronic medical records. Weed described a system for automating and reorganizing patient records to increase their use and thus improve patient care.
The work of Weed was the basis of the PROMIS project at the University of Vermont, in 1967, the joint work of doctors and specialists in the field of information technology began to create an automated electronic medical recording system. The objectives of the project were to develop a system that would provide timely and consistent patient information to the attending physician and allow for quick collection of data for epidemiological studies, medical audits, and business audits. The group’s efforts led to the development of a problem-oriented medical record or PEMR. In addition, in the 1960s, the Mayo Clinic began to develop electronic medical recording systems.
In 1970, POMR was first used in the medical department of a hospital in the Vermont Medical Center. At this time, sensory technology was incorporated into data entry procedures. Over the next several years, elements of drug information were added to the core program, allowing doctors to check actions, doses, side effects, allergies and interactions. At the same time, diagnostic and treatment plans were developed for more than 600 common medical problems.
In the 1970s and 1980s, several electronic medical registration systems were developed and improved by various academic and research institutions. The Technicon system was a hospital, and the Harvard COSTAR system had records for outpatient treatment. HELP and Duke® Medical Record & are examples of early stationary care systems. The Indian registry entry was one of the earliest integrated inpatient and outpatient systems.
With advances in computer and diagnostic applications in the 1990s, electronic medical recording systems have become increasingly complex and more widely used practices. In the 21st century, electronic medical records are increasingly being practiced.
