The Process-Oriented Model of Organizational Memory: A Prerequisite for Knowledge Management in Medical Records Departments

• Organizational memory (OM) is a tool for implementation of knowledge management. The objective of this study was designing an OM for medical records (MR) departments.• This descriptive study was carried out in 2007. The study population consisted of all employees in five teaching hospitals in Tabriz. Process and required knowledge identification was performed through questionnaires and structured interviews with 65 employees. OM models were derived from the available literature and the Internet. Our model was provided according to the assessment and review of models. Then, experts in health information management gave their opinion on the model by Delphi technique.• The studied employees believed that their performance could have been better if the required knowledge had been provided (85%). They considered OM as necessary (98%) and indicated mistakes, work slowness, dissatisfaction and confusion of clients as some subsequences of employees transfer. Most models provided for OM (86%) were process-based. Our model was considered as a system in which inputs, processes and outputs were determined.• An OM system which relates organizational knowledge to the business processes is a necessity for an MR department. This system can lead to organizational learning and productivity. In this study, a set of items and entities required for a process-based OM system were provided.