DIGITAL HEALTH INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES: A STUDY ON THE PATIENT'S ELECTRONIC RECORD AS AN INSTRUMENT FOR INFORMATION MANAGEMENT IN HOSPITALS IN MACEIÓ
digital information and communication technologies; electronic patient records; information management
In today's society, there is a growing need to record and manage information produced from established social relationships. In the scenario of hospital services, significant advances have impacted activities through the use of Digital Information and Communication Technologies.Scientific advances have resulted in significant benefits for society, however the inadequate development of new services in the use of technologies has led to questions regarding the consequences arising from production without taking control into account. In the scenario of hospital services, significant advances have been impacting activities through Digital Information and Communication Technologies (TDICs). However, numerous issues must be rethought. The occurrence of the mass of documents added to the lack of investment in archiving, preservation and management of medical records have been worrying factors in the Brazilian scenario.To meet the informational reality, hospitals in Maceió have been investing in the acquisition of TDICs and the creation of technological tools, such as, for example, the Electronic Patient Record (PEP). Thus, the question arises: how are Electronic Patient Records present and adequate for information management in Maceió hospitals? Its general objective is to characterize the presence and adequacy of Electronic Patient Records for information management in Maceió Hospitals. Methodologically, this study is characterized as exploratory in nature with a qualitative approach. It uses bibliographic and documentary research and interviews and face-to-face visits were also used to collect data. As results and discussions, 36 (thirty-six) were mapped – 97% of hospitals in Maceió and their respective types of medical records. The study allowed us to understand that the majority of medical records in the hospital network in Maceió have already consolidated systems, however, it is still necessary to modernize hospitals that use paper records, since the real advantages of PEP contribute to information management.It was possible to conclude that Electronic Patient Records are fundamental instruments for hospitals in promoting quality care for patients and creating a future for health care in a more personalized, interactive and humanized way.