Commentary

An electronic health record for infertility clinics

J L Coetsee, Theunis Frans Kruger, Darryl Vine

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.

Authors' affiliations

J L Coetsee, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa

Theunis Frans Kruger, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa

Darryl Vine, Intelligent Medical Systems (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town, South Africa

Full Text

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Keywords

Electronic health record; Assisted reproductive technology data monitoring; Infertility

Cite this article

South African Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 2014;20(1):31-33. DOI:10.7196/sajog.683

Article History

Date submitted: 2013-02-05
Date published: 2014-04-03

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