Logical Database Design Principles, Research Paper Example

 The medical field is the most prominent subject that has been advancing over the last two centuries. Patients require a great deal of personal information in order to be treated effectively, and accurately. With this in mind, compiling all of this information into a single database seems only logical. A database serves as a collection of data organized into a single, concise file that serves the purpose of administering more effective operations. As aforementioned, a large number of files are involved in the healthcare industry. Many of these files are able to fit into some type of category depending on the medical specialty that it finds itself in. An example of this would be within the field of pediatrics; creating a database in pediatrics would include major subsets of the following: X-rays and labs, vaccinations, progress notes, prescriptions, growth chart information and physicals, and personal information about the patient and his parents. Dividing all of the papers involved in the field of pediatrics allows for a far greater ease of access and lessens the possibility of losing papers and conducting wrong operations.

 In short, database design strategies can make health-care delivery much more efficient in every single specialty of the healthcare industry. This is especially true for those areas that involve regular visits such as oncology, cardiology, pediatrics, neurology, and many other fields. Designing databases also allows for patients to have quick access to all their medical records which is often a hassle due to the fact that most patients are not familiar with medical terminology and the distribution of papers. Database design has the potential to save a life, by allowing quick access of crucial information about a patient for emergency physicians. Vital information such as allergies and highlights of a patient’s family history should be quickly accessible for any person involved in the treatment of a patient within the health-care industry.

References

Garmany, J., Walker, J., & Clark, T. (2005). Logical database design principles. Boca Raton, FL: Auerbach Publications.

Toth, K. (2014). SQL server 2014 database design.