Adoption Of Information Technology (IT) In Healthcare Delivery- Experience At A Tertiary Level Hospital

Abstract

The earliest use of computers in health care was in administration. Hospitals instituted computerized budgeting and financial planning; medical offices used programs specifically designed to their needs. In recent years, the cost of providing high quality services and patient satisfaction in hospitals has increased tremendously. Using information system in healthcare has become one of the best solutions for hospital management to decrease cost, increase patient satisfaction, to improve hospital processes and to provide high quality patient care. Beginning with the computerization of hospital administrative tasks in the 1960s, the role of digital technology in medical care and its delivery has expanded at an ever-increasing pace. There are many programs that automate and computerize functions in health care environment. Traditionally the application of computer technology in healthcare is divided into three categories. Clinical applications of computers include anything that has to do with direct patient care, such as diagnosis, monitoring and treatment. Special purpose applications include the use of computers in education and some aspects of pharmacy. Administrative applications include office management, scheduling and accounting tasks. Information technology has brought about a big revolution in the health care industry. AIM: The aim was to study the extent of IT usage in hospitals and to share our experiences in HIS implementation. OBJECTIVES: The study was conducted with the following objectives: 1. To know the extent of IT usage in a tertiary level teaching hospital currently. 2. To assess the benefits in adopting IT in hospital practice. 3. To share our experience in HIS implementation. 4. To offer suggestions based on the study. MATERIALS & METHODS: The study was conducted in a large tertiary level multi- specialty teaching hospital. The study design is retrospective in nature which includes, literature review, perusal of records and registers & informal interviews with the staff of the IT department at the hospital This paper shares the experience in implementing, upgraded Hospital Information System (HIS) software into an already existing computerized system. The implications of having adopted multiple software modules specific to different clinical and special purpose applications has been highlighted. In an era of rapid advances in science and technology, dependability on biomedical equipments and the software that they support has become inevitable for taking decisions in healthcare delivery. There is a need to consider information technology (IT) compatibility at the very beginning, which is at the time of buying these high-end equipments, else the implementation and functioning of IT in hospitals will be in piece meal. Some suggestions in having a comprehensive HIS has also been incorporated in the study. In conclusion the benefits of implementing IT in healthcare in terms of productivity, cost, effectiveness etc may never be realized if we are not open to the future needs. That is adapting an ‘open system architecture’ which can be sensitized to the ever changing information technology