---

Efficiency and effectiveness of the services of the organizations such as medical records departments depends on a dynamic management. The major objective of this study is to compare the management of medical records departments of general teaching hospitals affiliated to Iran, Tehran, and Shahid Beheshti Universities of Medical Sciences. In this descriptive, cross-sectional case and comparative study, the major variables are: planning, organization, implementation, and evaluation. Managers, experts, and heads of the four major units of the hospitals were examined. The results indicated that the managers of medical records units with an average of 2.53, their rate of management usage in the department estimated in a high level. But, the experts and the heads of the wards with the averages of 1.75 and 1.38 have estimated in a low level. The involvement of the medical records managers of IUMS in planning was highest, the involvement of the same managers of IUMS in organization and implementation showed highest, and involvement of these managers at SHBUMS in evaluation was in highest level.

---

This research has been done to study the M.S. Degree curriculum in medical records in several selected countries to present an appropriate model for Iran. The research method was comparative and cross-sectional. The research population included universites offering M.S. degree in medical records in the U.S.A, Australia, u.K. and Iran. Sampling method was nonprobability sampling. Data was gathered by internet & e-mail. Findings showed that the title of program was similar in Sydney & Scholastica universities. Ail of the programs had a course on research methodology. IUMS was the only university that had a course about training and in comparison with other universities was the only university that had no course about health information systems, management and organizaion. The curriculum model was proposed for Iran. The view points of medical records specialists and educators showed that more than 60% of them agree with the proposed model. The curriculum of M.S. degree in medical records in Iran was different in comparison with nther countuies. The model was proposed in order to improve the curriculum and to move Inward world changes.

---

This descriptive research was performed to survey the contents of medical records in general hospitals affiliated with Kerman University of Medical Sciences during the first three months of The data was through checklist and observation. The quantitative elements of this study were: standard forms, signature, date and registered information. radiology, pathology, electrocardiograms was completed less «50%) range. All the records were investigated by experienced staff of medical records after transferring to the medical records department expenenced medical records clerks must check then and refer incompleted records to specific wards for completion.

---

Introduction: Supervision over main and complementary parts of planning and their evalvation, comprise the planning cycle which emphasizes on the qualitative as wellas quantitative procedures being carried out. Pervision makes the necessary reforms on the input, while evaluation takes care of midterm and longterm plans and procedures. The objective of this study was to evalvate the fonetion of medicalrecords department at Mashhad school of Medicine in 1381.

Methods: This is a cross - seetional descriptive survey study.Data collection was done through four check lists using Interviewond observation methods. Indesigning the check lists. Likret criteria was used to evaluate the checklist questions.

Findings: Non of the hospitals understudy bene fited from a M.R.A graduate. Medical Record department at Imam Reza hospital scord 94% (55.29) While Hasheminejad hospital scord 50 (29.41) the results of the surrey showed that the medical recods of Mashhad theaching hospitals with the average seove of 71.77 (42.42) had average performance range.

Results: The results of the study showed that this is highly important that spcial instructions be written for very unit of Medical Records department, for job description, on the job training courses exployement of medical records graduates, resover provision, equipment and suitable envorinment, and also periodic evalution of the function of medical records departments for the improvement of the department.

---

Inroduction: Medical records departments using the modern systems and standards to keep the patients' medical records, and make them available for the future services or collecting statistical data and conducting research . The collected statistics will be used in the advancement of medical education, and achieving its objectives. Object The purpose of this study was to find out the situation in medical records departments in the hospitals affiliated to (IUMS).

Methods: This is a descriptive study its data is collected by taking a census. All of the medical records departments in the IUMS hospitals and clinics have been reviewed by direct observation, interview and filling out a questionnaire consisting of 334 open and closed questions in the year 2000.

 Results: Our results of show that 4.3% of the of medical records departments heads have an M.Sc.degree, 52.1% a B.Sc., 8.6% an A.S.(associate's degree), 30.4% a high school diploma, 4.3% have less than a high school diploma. And 82.6% are female and 17.4% are male. The survey on the methods of giving an appointment to the patients in the studied hospitals show that 52.1% give their appointments by admittance,8.6% by department secretary, 4.3% according to a calendar,13%according to the physician's fixed time, and 21.7% give daily appointments. Considering the reference system and getting patient satisfaction, 44% of the centers adhere the internal regulations. Also regarding the patient's rights in admittance, medical emergencies, trauma and reference system, 5% of the centers consider the oral regulations.

Conclusions: The findings show that there is no written policy and regulations concerning the day to day works of the medical records departments.

---

Introduction: Now day, utilization of Information technology being to extend for increase of good efficiency and effectiveness in most cases, rapidly. Among that, skill in using information technology by Medical Record students, for business objectives is very necessary. This study carried out for determining of the Rate of information technology skills by Medical Record students.

Methods: This comparative study conducted on Medial Record master degree students in four medical sciences universites namely, Iran, Tehran, Shahid Beheshti, and Isfahan in 2005-2006. Data collecting carried out by checklist, with direct observation, and interview. Data analysis was carried out using Kruscal Wallis test.

Results:The ratio of skill in using information technology was totally 86%.Medical Records master degree students at Shahid Beheshti University with 82%, Iran University with 85%, gained less score in skill of information technology use. Kruscal Wallis test showed that there was a definite relation between the ratios of Excel software usage skill, and university of education site (p value= 0/006).

Conclusions: Medical Records master degree students in four universities have very good skills in using information technology, but Shahid Beheshti and Iran students have less skill.

---

Introduction: Undoubtedly, the medical record is one of the most important documents containing the most sensitive information on the public health and treatment. As a matter of fact, protecting the confidentiality of the recorded information and the documents there in should be given top priority. Thus, given the importance of the confidentiality of medical document, and their impact on the better performance of hospitals, this study investigates the access levels and confidentiality of medical documents in Iran and selected countries and makes and effort to identify the existing gap.

Methods: This study is a descriptive - comparative one which uses a cross - sectional style. The research sample includes Canada, Australia, USA, and England. It is because these countries have made considerable progress in the confidentiality of medical documents. The study data were gathered via internet and communication with professionals and relevant

organizations in the countries. In the case of Iran, the data were collected, using library studies.

Results: It is concluded that there is no integrated organization for the management of medical documents and the development of its standards. 1) The status of medical documents, onfidentiality and access levels of medical documents in Iran are far from world standards. 2) The lack of consistency between the performance of medical documents in Iran hospitals and standard activities in developed countries has resulted in the gap between existing activities and stated purposes. 3) The countries under study have made great progress in confidentiality of medical record.

Conclusion: It is evident that due to extended application of medical records for several ntention including medical consultations, authentication in legal cases, third parties and health researches, addressing privacy principles is essential. Meanwhile utilization of records content for above mentioned objective also is important and it must be taking correct action while interference patient privaet and public rights. With studied countries will be useful to develop and correct national health care rules for effective management of vital medical information.

Undoubtedly, the medical record is one of the most important documents containing the most sensitive information on the public health and treatment. As a matter of fact, protecting the confidentiality of the recorded information and the documents there in should be given top priority. Thus, given the importance of the confidentiality of medical document, and their impact on the better performance of hospitals, this study investigates the access levels and confidentiality of medical documents in Iran and selected countries and makes and effort to identify the existing gap.

---

Introduction: To take informed consent for treatment is one of the essential rights of each patient. All healthcare centers must complete consent forms. In spite importance to get informed consent forms, there isn't adequate paying attention to complete these forms. This research is aimed to review the completeness of consent forms in IUMS's teaching centers.

Methods: In a descriptive, cross-sectional research we reviewed the completeness of consent forms using a questionnaire. We selected 330 consent forms of inpatient patients in treatment-teaching centers from IUMS by a stratified random sampling method. Data were collected through observations and consent forms survey. In order to providing information we used descriptive statistics by SPSS. 

Results: Our findings showed that there were incompleteness for patient's family and first names in informed consents forms in 7.2% (24 patients), and for of patient's addresses 71.5% (234 patients). There weren't any sign or finger print in 1.2% (4) forms. In 5.4% (18) forms was bad handwriting. 2.4% (8 patients) patients didn't have legal age while they singed form consent, and 3.6% (12 patients) forms singed by consanguinity and casual relatives. In emergency conditions there were for 86.6% (74 patients) family name and first name recorded while in non emergency conditions 94.7% (235 patients) were recorded. Also forms were confirmed by witnesses in 77.6% (66 patients) in emergency cases while in non- emergency cases it was 59.9% (147 patients). It was applied another form as acquaintance (exemption) in 96.1% (76patients).

Conclusion: Goal of getting consent forms is providing the best decision-making for patients. Because importance of getting consent form for patient and treatment centers, it is necessary to reception personnel training to acquire knowledge about consent forms and their completeness.

---

Introduction: Disaster medicine and crisis management can reduce the effects and hazards of disasters. In addition to, new technologies health information management which enters, collects, saves, retrieves and analyzes necessary information and makes it accessible to managers and planners. To review crisis management in medical record in teaching hospitals in Kerman Province and Brujerd city and providing a model for Iran.

Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in the year 2006. The research population included the medical record staffs working at teaching hospitals affiliated to Kerman University of Medical Sciences and hospitals in Borujerd. Two questionnaires (Administrators/ personnel) were used for data collection. Data collection was made through field study. Data analyzed using descriptive statistics method. With Delphi systems, the recommended model was put into practice in one phase, and eventually after the analysis of the test results, the final model for crisis management in medical record was presented.

 Results: The crisis management in medical record departments was weak. In addition the personnel awareness concerning crisis management in medical record departments was 55.37%. The structure of the suggested model was in accordance with the standards of USA (AHIMA/HIMSS), and the points of views of the research population.

 Conclusion: Some steps should be taken to hold periodic training courses, to plan and to equip medical record departments. The structure of the suggested model for crisis management in medical record departments is provided in 6 axes.

---

Introduction: Medical Records Departments play an important role in evaluation and planning for performance of care services quality and quantity. This study was aimed to evaluate the performance of the Medical Record Department of Kermanshah Educational Hospitals by Standards of Ministry of Health & Medical Education. 

Methods: This is an applied descriptive cross-sectional research Research population includes medical records departments of hospitals of affiliated of Kermanshah medical university and medical sciences. Needed data has been collected by Interviews and Observations, (using a questionnaire and four check-lists for Admission, Filing, Coding and statistics units). To analyze of data, each four checklists of units was assigned 100 scores and then the performance average of each unit was calculated and compared. 

Results: The best performance was for statistics units by average 70/5% and lowest of it was for filing units by average 56/3%. The best total performance of MRD was for Imam Reza hospital by average 83/25% and the lowest of it was for Motazedi hospital by average 48/6%. Conclusion: Some hospitals use obsolete books for diseases coding. None of hospitals have written instructions pertinent to destruction of ambulatory, emergency and inpatient records. Most of filing units don’t use correct filing system.

---

Introduction: Quality management is an intelligent, steady and continuous procedure with a synergic effect on organization goals resulting in customer satisfaction, increased efficiency and enhanced ability to compete in the market. The procedure is considered as an improvement in traditional methods of business and an established technique which ensures organization survival in today’s competitive world. The current study aimed at examining medical records departments in Teaching Hospitals of Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS) applying Quality Management System Criteria.

 Methods: It was a descriptive, cross-sectional study. The statistical population included medical records departments of ten IUMS Teaching Hospitals. Data collection was done through interview, observation and five checklists which were in accordance with major criteria of Quality Management System mentioned in ISO 9001- 2000 standard. Descriptive statistics was used for data analysis.

 Results: The findings showed that resources management with 77% and the measurement of criteria, analysis and process improvement with 47% gained the highest and the lowest scores, respectively. The rates of quality management system, management accountability, and service production were 57%, 56%, and 61%, respectively. The overall average of all criteria applied at Iran University teaching hospitals was 60%.

Discussion: The unacceptable 60% rate of conformity of medical records departments system with the expectations of quality management system can be promoted by adjusting the quality of the functions of these departments with the defined requirements of Quality Management System.