What Is a Health Information Report?

A health information report is a written report that states and contains key patient information. It is a comprehensive report primarily used by hospitals, clinics and other healthcare centers. 

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, around 89.9% of office-based doctors utilize Electronic Medical Records or Electronic Health Records; while 72.3% of office-based physicians have a certified Electronic Health Record or EHR system.  

Health Tips For a COVID-19 World

The global pandemic has become the single most life-changing event in recent times; and its repercussions are expected to linger longer than expected. Fortunately, there are proactive steps anyone can take to arm themselves with the proper information and preparation. COVID-19 may have changed the way people live, but the universal experience can also be the right opportunity for people to do better for themselves and for others around them.  

Stay up to date. The COVID-19 pandemic not only caught the entire world off guard, but the virus still continues to evolve as the global pandemic enters its third year. Due to the unpredictable and volatile nature of the virus, countries are constantly struggling to respond and keep up. New data is published everyday with regard to the nature and characteristics of the virus. With each new variant, comes new information and new research. Thus, it is of utmost importance that individuals, families and communities remain vigilant and stay up to date when it comes to the data. It is important to arm yourself with the right facts to better deal with the ongoing health crisis. However, educating yourself and staying informed are not enough. It must be supplemented with action; because it is only when citizens take part and share in the responsibility of mitigating the spread of the disease can circumstances improve. Only trust reputable sources. With the birth of social media, the information people get on a day-to-day basis can get quite overwhelming. The information the public gets does not only come from traditional news sources anymore; social networking sites have become an alternative source of news as well. With the democratization of information came the unintended consequence of the proliferation of fake news. Thus it is important to be discerning especially when it comes to selecting news sources. In order to be a responsible individual and citizen, make sure to trust only credible and reputable sources. You need to be certain that the information you are getting is backed by sound science and research. In an emergency public health crisis, the last thing you want to be is a vehicle for disinformation, fake news, and conspiracy theories. Don’t be complacent. With its unpredictability and penchant for surprise, the coronavirus pandemic can shift or evolve anytime without warning. To deal with this, people need to realize that they must never let their guards down. If the data from the last two years have shown, the pandemic came with all kinds of highs and lows. From exponential surges, tragic peaks, to shocking dips in cases, experts and leaders have come to realize that complacency is the enemy. With each new variant, the body of knowledge and pandemic research grows wider and deeper. Therefore, each individual must take it upon themselves to act cautiously and prudently and to never be complacent when it comes to public health measures. Follow minimum health protocols. Governments around the world are constantly reminding their constituents time and time again to follow minimum health protocols. Whether you live in a rich country or a developing nation, the very least you can do is follow the law. Practicing minimum health protocols in your locality may not only help curb infection, but it can promote a sense of collective responsibility for others in society. From wearing masks to avoiding mass gatherings, the actions of one may impact hundreds or even thousands. If there are any lessons the pandemic has taught, it is that success and safety cannot be achieved without the cooperation of everyone involved. And this pandemic involves not just one or several nations, not just leaders or one social class, but the entire world has been affected by the crisis.

Tips For Patients When Submitting Health Information

A health information report is not just for the sake of documentation, it is for the benefit and security of the patient as well. Whatever the reason for submitting a health information report, a patient ought to be responsible enough to disclose his or her data the proper way. Keep in mind the following tips the next time you are tasked to fill out a health information report.   

Update your information. Many healthcare providers encourage their patients to always provide updated information for their record. If a patient gives outdated information, they risk not being prescribed the best or appropriate care. The purpose of submitting health information is so the doctor or healthcare worker can recommend the most suitable treatment. This does not only pertain to basic information. While details such as current home address, civil status, emergency contact or names of dependents are important; medical history ought to be updated too. If you just underwent surgery or if you’re taking any medications, these must be reflected in the report. Even if you are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms or have tested positive for the disease, most health declaration forms today now require you to disclose such information. Don’t hesitate to ask questions. Sometimes, filling out a health information report can be a chore. While others are brief, some are complicated or are several pages long. But health information cannot be rushed or carelessly filled out. If you encounter an item that you are unsure of or are confused by, do not hesitate to seek clarification. Ask your doctor, a nurse or a representative of the healthcare center whenever you don’t understand a section or item on the form. The medical field or the health sector in general has its own set of terminology; so it is perfectly understandable for other people not to comprehend some medical terms. Asking questions can help promote clarity and transparency between the patient and the healthcare provider. Be transparent. When it comes to disclosing your health information, transparency is key. There must be a sense of trustworthiness and dependability in any patient and doctor relationship. As much as possible, you want to receive the best care and treatment possible. This cannot be maximized if the healthcare provider does not know the full story. Not being truthful only complicates things even more. Providing only partial details is not being transparent as well. So always make it a point to practice honesty and transparency when giving information. Your personal doctor needs to keep records of your medical history, nurses and hospital staff need to know what types of medications you are under, etc. When you start learning to trust your healthcare provider more, the better and more beneficial it is for you. Listen to your body. Filling out a health information report can be tedious for some, especially if the form is lengthy. As the world continues to face a raging pandemic, laws and ordinances are abounding everywhere regarding health declarations. Many establishments (e.g., hotels, restaurants) and public places now require visitors to fill out health declaration forms as a safety precaution. For this, it is important to not just be transparent about your condition, but to be sensitive to what you are feeling as well. It is important to listen to your body and not ignore its signs or triggers. For instance, you have been under a lot of stress at work and fail to notice that it is negatively affecting your physical health. To prevent the situation from getting worse, the first step you need to do is to be attuned to your body so you’ll know when to pause and rest.

How to Create a Health Information Report

To create a health information report, you don’t just need accurate data but complete details as well. If you are looking for a convenient way to furnish a report, using a predesigned template can save you time and energy. Simply select an editable template that suits your needs and customize it accordingly. Once you’ve selected one, follow the step-by-step guide below to get started:  

Step 1: Basic Information

A health information report should obviously contain the patient’s information. The format and order of this particular section of the report would depend on you. Whether you use a table, chart or even just a minimalist design, what matters is the content. The items contained in your report should be comprehensive and complete. Ensure too that there is ample space for the patient’s answers. Some of the most basic information that should be found are the complete name, complete address, contact information, emergency contact details, date of birth, civil status, nationality, etc.      

Step 2: Problem or Complaint

Typically, patients see their doctors because they have a medical complaint. Whether it is the flu, an upset stomach or a serious infection, it’s pretty standard protocol for hospital staff or personnel to document these symptoms whenever a patient enters a hospital or clinic. Ideally, a comprehensive health information form should always keep record of problems reported by the patient. More sophisticated forms readily enumerate all possible symptoms to make it easier for the patient to check all that apply. In addition to the medical complaint, other relevant data such as the onset date of symptoms and details about its progression should be indicated as well.       

Step 3: Medical History

A key section of any comprehensive health information report is a patient’s medical history. This section must be arranged in an organized manner. Regardless of what format is used, you only need to make sure that the information is both accurate and complete. A patient’s medical history is crucial for overall assessment and treatment. In order to offer the most suitable advice or cure, a physician would need to know everything that pertains to the patient’s medical background. Whether it is a history of medication, past surgeries and illnesses, allergies, or other conditions, these types of information should be disclosed in a health information report.        

Step 4: Recommendations 

Lastly, a health information report should also include a section dedicated to the doctor’s recommendations. These must be meticulously documented in the summary report. Whenever a doctor or physician gives a prescription or suggests a certain kind of treatment, these are recorded in the patient’s report. In as much as the problem or complaint is keenly observed, the recommendations are important to take note of as well. A health information report is not complete without any formal indication of a solution or endorsement from the physician.   

FAQs

What is a health information system?

A health information system is a centralized system database that healthcare institutions and providers use to consolidate and store patient-related information.

What are the 6 components of a health information system?

According to the World Health Organization or WHO, the six components of a health information system are health information system resources, indicators, data sources, data management, information products, and dissemination and use.

What is the purpose of health information?

The purpose of health information is to enable doctors, nurses, hospital staff and other healthcare providers to make sound medical decisions when it comes to what is best for their patients.

A health information report is a key component in making sure that the relationship between patients and healthcare providers is transparent and trustworthy. Browse and download a free sample template today to get started on your own report!