An electronic health record for infertility clinics

Abstract

Objective. To design a user-friendly electronic health record system for infertility clinics (EHRIC) to capture quality data that will allow advanced audit and practice analysis, and to use the captured data for the South African Register of Assisted Reproductive Techniques (SARA) database and as a clinical research function.

Methods. The researcher did personal interviews with fertility specialists and the staff from various fertility clinics in South Africa regarding day-to-day running of an infertility clinic. Collection of annual data to be used for the South African Register of Assisted Reproductive Techniques (SARA) database proved to be a tedious task that is also open to inaccuracy. A local medical software design company designed an integrated system that will collect clinical, laboratory in vitro fertilisation, andrology and cryopreservation data.

Results. Phase 1 allowed the researcher to collect demographic and clinical data via a web-based program as well as entering clinical information. Phase 2, when complete, will allow for annual reports according to the SARA requirements.

Conclusion. The paperless infertility clinic is a possibility, but will require commitment and training of all staff involved.