Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

The present invention provides a network system for storage of medical records. The records are stored in a database on a server. Each record includes two main parts, namely a collection of data elements containing information of medical nature for the certain individual, and a plurality of pointers providing addresses or remote locations where reside other medical data for that particular individual. Each record also includes a data element indicative of the basic type of medical data found at the location pointed to by a particular pointer. This arrangement permits a client workstation to download the record along with the set of pointers which link the client to the remotely stored files. The identification of the basic type of information that each pointer points to allows the physician to select the ones of interest and thus avoid downloading massive amounts of data where only part of that data is needed at that time. In addition, this record structure allows statistical queries to be effected without the necessity of accessing the data behind the pointers. For instance, a query can be built based on keys, one of which is the type of data that a pointer points to. The query can thus be performed solely on the basis of the pointers and the remaining information held in the record.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim