Hey everyone,
I am currently in the process of designing a simple database for basic record keeping for the service of one specialist working in a developing country - therefore owing to cost concerns and the lack of IT infrastructure, Access was deemed to be a viable starting point. However, my main wonder is whether it is possible to construct a database where updating a variable will not overrwrite its previous record. For example, if a patient has a particular plasma glucose level on one clinic visit and another on the second, is it possible to enter both in a singular table (e.g. Clinic visits)? Will this mean the creation of several hundred tables - in which case this could get quite complicated? One alternative I've thought of is the implementation of opensource EHRs (like openEMR/MRS) for the clinic visit aspect of the system and the creation of access databases to handle more static aspects of the service, like operative details, ITU stay or waiting lists for particular procedures - but the fact that this is cross platform gives me worries that I may be causing redundancy and an overly complicated system that makes more problems than it solves.
In a nutshell, I'm looking to design a database that can be maintained easily, that links together well and can be updated with vitals without being too complicated. Thanks for any help!