The benefits and challenges of the computerized electronic medical record.

Data from aggregate individual patient records can be gathered to answer many clinical and nursing research questions about quality assurance and resource allocation, assisting in the measurement and evaluation of patient care outcomes. The use of standardized nursing language, large integrated computer databases, and information management processes provide for the use of patient-specific data and information to facilitate patient care. The use of aggregated data can also facilitate the comparison of nursing practice across populations, demonstrate and project nursing care trends, serve as a financial and legal record, aid in clinical research, support decision analysis, and guide professional and organization performance improvement.