A patient’s medical record contains fundamental information for incorporation
into a hospital information system, yet it is necessary to consider that not all hospitals
adopt medical records, even though they may use administrative systems or even
hospitality systems. While specific information is not available, professional practice
shows that, in general, the administrative area benefits the most from information
systems in hospitals. This use includes inventory management systems, accounts
payable and receivable, financial services, and accounting services. In these cases, the
traditional record (hand-written) should have part of its information inserted into
administrative systems so that hospital bills can be processed. Similarly, hospital
pharmacies use information systems to control stocks of prescriptions that are recorded
in the medical records of patients.