There are many reasons why a company would choose to create a new database. In many cases, it depends on what the organization is trying to accomplish, and that can be a substantial task. For example, according to a recent article from the Los Angeles Times, Anthem and Blue Shield of California are partnering to create a massive database of patient medical records.
The goal is to create a more comprehensive collection of information. Now doctors and nurses will be able to access the medical histories of nearly 25 percent of all California residents with a few clicks of the keyboard. It will create faster, cheaper and better health care by reducing repetitive tests and procedures. Imagine an ER doctor that is able to access a patient's medical records instantly.
"We need to bring healthcare into the digital age, and by doing so you can really improve the quality and cost of care," Paul Markovich, chief executive of Blue Shield of California, told the news source.
However, there are challenges to having the $80 million system online by the end of the year. The biggest one is the lack of standardization is data. Companies have different kinds of data, definitions and fields, adding to the complexity.
With the growing use of digital technology, the amount of data that is available continues to increase. To improve the analysis of this information, a custom database software solution can help businesses organize their data in a better way that speaks to their specific needs.