Question

What are the basic components and functions of databases? What are their uses in healthcare? If you're using any references please list it as your resource.

Answer 1

Components of database:

• Software. This is the set of programs used to control and manage the overall database.
• Hardware.
• Data.
• Procedures.
• Database Access Language.
• Query Processor.
• Run Time Database Manager.
• Data Manager.
• Database Engine

Functions of database:

• Data dictionary management,
• Data storage management,
• Data transformation and presentation,
• Security management, multiuser access control,
• Backup and recovery management,
• Data integrity management,
• Database access languages and application programming interfaces,
• Database communication

Healthcare database serves to replace the paper documents, file folders, and filing cabinets of old. The data is now more convenient and immediate.

Most commonly used in healthcare is the OLTP (online transaction processing) database

The OLTP database structure accommodates the creation of a wide range of transactional applications: EHRs, lab systems, financial systems, patient satisfaction systems, patient identification, ADT tracking, administration, billing and payment processing, research, HR, and education

They have the following applications (and therefore the following databases):

• Practice management system
• HER (Electronic Health Record)
• Costing system
• Ambulatory surgery
• Radiology : To generate reports
• Pathology : To generate reports from the lab instruments, to find lab values easily
• Financial system
• HR system : For the hospital staff to apply leaves and payroll management
• A claims database (which isn’t theirs to manage but which needs to be integrated)