Guide to COSTAR: An Innovative Computer Stored Ambulatory Record System: A Description of System Capabilities and Applications in Local Health Departments

摘要

This document is intended to familiarize public health officials and health clinic administrators with COSTAR, a computerized records management and revenue recovery system developed by the National Center for Health Services Research (NCHSR) of the Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which has broad applications in a variety of health care settings. The purpose of this document is to: describe COSTAR's capability to manage, integrate and report financial, administrative and medical information; discuss the applications of the system in public health departments which have ambulatory care clinics or preventive clinical programs; highlight characteristics which permit COSTAR to support a wide range of public health programs including: maternal and child health, environmental and occupational health, family planning, communicable disease control, dental health, home care, and vital records; discuss system components, operations, technical support and cost; and present brief descriptions of COSTAR installations in local health departments.