| Computers and technology have long played a | | | | set forth certain regulations and guidelines |
| role in the medical system. In more recent years, | | | | regarding keeping track of medical records with |
| however, computers have started to become an | | | | specialized software. The primary goal of the act |
| increasingly relied upon method for helping to keep | | | | was to maintain patient privacy while still allowing |
| patient records straight and for keeping people | | | | medical professionals to take advantage of the |
| healthy. In fact, the use of computer sciences | | | | conveniences technology provides. |
| combined with the information sciences in the | | | | Since then, the Certification Commission for |
| medical field has become so prevalent that a | | | | Healthcare Information Technology (CCHIT) was |
| term has been developed to describe this merging | | | | formed through the United States Department of |
| of fields: health informatics. | | | | Health and Human Services. This non-profit |
| Health informatics, also referred to as medical | | | | organization has developed a set of standards |
| informatics, focuses primarily on the use of | | | | regarding electronic health records and the |
| computers and information science to help | | | | networks that support them. Those vendors that |
| acquire, store, and retrieve information in both | | | | meet these standards receive certification |
| biomedicine and health in general. This may involve | | | | through the organization. In 2006, the organization |
| communication amongst and between medical | | | | certified 22 electronic health record products that |
| facilities and professionals, retrieving current | | | | have been approved for use. |
| information regarding treatment methods for | | | | Computers are playing an increasingly important |
| certain disorders, and even helping medical | | | | role within the medical field. With their help, medical |
| professionals diagnose a disease. It may also | | | | professionals are capable of providing more |
| involve the sharing of patient information amongst | | | | effective and efficient care to their patients. With |
| specialists in order to give the patient the best | | | | the many standards, guidelines, and regulations set |
| treatment possible. | | | | forth through government bodies and |
| With the use of computers in the medical system | | | | organizations, the practice is likely to become |
| becoming increasingly common, the United States | | | | even more widespread while simultaneously |
| congress passed the Health Insurance Portability | | | | protecting the rights of patients. |
| and Accountability Act (HIPPAA) in 1006. This act | | | | |