Implementation Of Clinical Information Systems Research Articles

Quality and safety of medication use in primary care: consensus validation of a new set of explicit medication assessment criteria and prioritisation of topics for improvement

BackgroundAddressing the problem of preventable drug related morbidity (PDRM) in primary care is a challenge for health care systems internationally. The increasing implementation of clinical information systems in the UK and internationally provide new opportunities to systematically identify patients at risk of PDRM for targeted medication review. The objectives of this study were (1) to develop a set of explicit medication assessment criteria to identify patients with sub-optimally effective or high-risk medication use from electronic medical records and (2) to identify medication use topics that are perceived by UK primary care clinicians to be priorities for quality and safety improvement initiatives.MethodsFor objective (1), a 2-round consensus process based on the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method (RAM) was conducted, in which candidate criteria were identified from the literature and scored by a panel of 10 experts for 'appropriateness' and 'necessity'. A set of final criteria was generated from candidates accepted at each level. For objective (2), thematically related final criteria were clustered into 'topics', from which a panel of 26 UK primary care clinicians identified priorities for quality improvement in a 2-round Delphi exercise.Results(1) The RAM process yielded a final set of 176 medication assessment criteria organised under the domains 'quality' and 'safety', each classified as targeting 'appropriate/necessary to do' (quality) or 'inappropriate/necessary to avoid' (safety) medication use. Fifty-two final 'quality' assessment criteria target patients with unmet indications, sub-optimal selection or intensity of beneficial drug treatments. A total of 124 'safety' assessment criteria target patients with unmet needs for risk-mitigating agents, high-risk drug selection, excessive dose or duration, inconsistent monitoring or dosing instructions. (2) The UK Delphi panel identified 11 (23%) of 47 scored topics as 'high priority' for quality improvement initiatives in primary care.ConclusionsThe developed criteria set complements existing medication assessment instruments in that it is not limited to the elderly, can be implemented in electronic data sets and focuses on drug groups and conditions implicated in common and/or severe PDRM in primary care. Identified priorities for quality and safety improvement can guide the selection of targets for initiatives to address the PDRM problem in primary care.

Electronic health information system implementation models - a review.

The implementation of clinical information systems and electronic medical records does not have a good track record. It is estimated that more than 50% of implementations fail. A review of electronic health information system (EHIS) models incorporating clinical information systems and electronic medical records was undertaken to determine the models developed and applied in health. Twenty one health and five non-health models were identified. The non-health models were included as a number of health models were derived form these. The findings and evaluation of the models has identified varying contents and results. The models identified were assessed to determine how these related to each other, whether models were tested and how, if benefits were identified and if costsavings were projected or realised. This review of EHIS implementation models has identified a need for clear definition of terms used, careful categorisation and for models to be comprehensive, extensive and rigorous if successful outcomes are to occur.

A Multimethod Approach for Quality Evaluation of Clinical Information Systems

There was failure to respond to nurses' demands for clinical information system quality that upholds nursing care as clinical information system quality was not measured in a systematic manner. This study identified measures of clinical information system quality by a literature review and used a multimethod approach combining questionnaire, interview, and observation to evaluate the quality of a clinical information system. The study participants were 20 nurses using a clinical information system. Quantitative data were analyzed for tool assessment and item mean values. Qualitative data were transcribed. A set of the criteria was used to integrate quantitative and qualitative data. Results show that the nurses' responses fell into the range of the quality measures included in the tool. Integration of quantitative and qualitative data showed that quality measures facilitated or disrupted nurses' performance on a clinical information system. Nurses' perceptions of and demands for quality in a clinical information system were identified. In conclusion, this study supports a multimethod approach for evaluating the quality of a clinical information system in the complex dynamics of clinical information system implementation. The identified quality dimensions and measures will serve as a foundation to evaluate the quality of a clinical information system. The criteria employed to integrate multiple data were very useful for this study.

A classification framework for clinical information system implementation in hospitals

In the last decade, many information system (IS) implementations took place in the healthcare organisations. Mainstream reasons for this evolvement are the increase of quality and safety of care, and reducing costs. As in many other sectors IS implementations in healthcare are complex, and confronted with many types of difficulties that significantly hinder achieving the objected benefits. So far, a number of systematic overviews and classifications of critical success factors (CSFs) have been available for IS implementation in healthcare, but a CSF framework specifically for clinical information systems (CISs) in hospitals does not exist. This paper provides such a framework, validates it, and translates it into a practical contribution for IT project managers in hospitals. The framework is based on a systematic literature review that has been performed to extract relevant SCFs from recent academic publications. After a filtering process, 58 publications have been selected from which 248 success factors have been extracted. Building upon seven existing classifications, the classification framework for CSFs in CIS implementations was build. Expert interviews were conducted to validate the framework and the relative weights of eight CSF categories.

Exploring the Clinical Information System Implementation Readiness Activities to Support Nursing in Hospital Settings

The implementation of clinical information systems can have a profound impact on nurses and their productivity. Poorly implemented systems can lead to unintended consequences that may have a negative impact on clinical processes and patient outcomes. Executives must have adequate knowledge to address nurses' concerns related to implementation. This study explored the clinical information system implementation readiness activities adopted by chief nurse executivesin hospital settings. A descriptive qualitative design was used, including interviews with six chief nurse executives, held from December 2003 through March 2004. The constant comparative method was used to analyze the interviews to extract readiness activity themes and compare these to the literature. The synthesized themes showed that the executives were knowledgeable about and engaged in several key areas, but not all, of the implementation readiness process. The majority of responses were classified into the thematic areas of champion support, staff preparation for change, training, organizational alignment, planning, and vendor support. The theme of a lack of vendor support was not identified in previous studies but was clear in the responses of the chief nurse executives interviewed.

The Quality and Outcomes Framework and self-management dialogue in primary care consultations: a qualitative study.

Two key elements to improve the quality of care for people with long-term conditions in primary care are improved clinical information systems to support delivery of evidence-based care, and enhanced self-management support. Although both elements are viewed as necessary, their interaction is not well understood. To explore the use of computer-based 'disease management' templates and their relevance to self-management dialogue within clinical encounters. Qualitative study of general practices located in three primary care trusts in the north of England. A qualitative mixed methods study was conducted that included comparative analysis of (1) observations of general practice consultations (n = 86); and (2) interviews with health professionals in general practice (n = 17). The analysis suggested that use of the computer templates reinforced a checklist approach to consultations, which included professionals working through several self-management topics framed as discrete behaviours. As a consequence, conversation tended to become focused on the maintenance of the professional-patient relationship at the expense of expansion in self-management dialogue. The computer templates also shaped how patient-initiated self-management dialogue was managed when it arose, with a shift towards discussion around medical agendas. In order to enhance the management of long-term conditions in primary care, the design and implementation of clinical information systems to improve evidence-based care need to take into account their potential impact on supporting self-management.

Nurses' Perceptions of How Clinical Information System Implementation Affects Workflow and Patient Care

There is a little evidence of the impact of clinical information system implementation on nurses' workflow and patient care to guide institutions across the nation as they implement electronic health records. This study compared changes in nurse's perceptions about patient care processes and workflow before and after a comprehensive clinical information system implementation at a rural referral hospital. The study used the Information Systems Expectations and Experiences survey, which consists of seven scales-provider-patient communication, interprovider communication, interorganizational communication, work-life changes, improved care, support and resources, and patient care processes. Survey responses were examined across three administrations-before and after training and after implementation. The survey responses decreased significantly for eight of the 47 survey items from the first administration to the second and for 37 items from the second administration to the third. Perceptions were more positive in nurses who had previous experience with electronic health records and less positive in nurses with more years of work experience. These findings point to the importance of setting realistic expectations, assessing user perceptions throughout the implementation process, designing training to meet the needs of the end user, and adapting training and implementation processes to support nurses who have concerns.

EMRs and Clinical IS Implementation in Hospitals: A Statewide Survey

Present an overview of clinical information systems (IS) in hospitals and analyze the level of electronic medical records (EMR) implementation in relation to clinical IS capabilities and organizational characteristics. We developed a survey instrument measuring clinical IS implementation and classified clinical IS across 5 EMR levels. The survey was administered to hospitals in a state with a large number of rural hospitals (84% response rate). Clinical IS were classified across 5 EMR levels, a useful approach for understanding the gaps in clinical IS in hospitals. Almost half (43%) of hospitals in Iowa were at EMR Level 0, with at least 1 of the ancillary systems still absent; 12% were at Level 1 with all 3 ancillary systems in place; 16% were at Level 2 corresponding to an early EMR system; 18% were at Level 3 corresponding to an intermediate EMR system; and 10% were at Level 4 corresponding to an advanced EMR system. In contrast, 22% had no plans for EMR implementation at all. EMR level was lower in critical access hospitals and positively associated with more slack resources and staffed beds. Over a 3-year period, there were increases in ancillary systems and clinical documentation implementation. The survey performed well. There was agreement with published estimates of EMR penetration, sensitivity to change over time, and association with known organizational factors. It is well designed and can be used to map onto a comprehensive classification scheme capturing the EMR level and evaluating progress toward meaningful use.

An Organizational Culture-Based Theory of Clinical Information Systems Implementation in Hospitals

We propose an organizational culture-based explanation of the level of difficulty of clinical information system (CIS) implementation and of the practices that can contribute to reduce the level of difficulty of this process. Adopting an analytic induction approach, we developed initial theoretical propositions based on a three-perspective conceptualization of organizational culture: integration, differentiation, and fragmentation. Using data from three cases of CIS implementation, we first performed a deductive analysis to test our propositions on the relationships between culture, CIS characteristics, implementation practices, and the level of implementation difficulty. Then, applying an inductive analysis strategy, we re-analyzed the data and developed new propositions. Our analysis shows that four values play a central role in CIS implementation. Two values, quality of care and efficiency of clinical practices, are key from an integration perspective; two others, professional status/autonomy and medical dominance, are paramount from a differentiation perspective. A fragmentation perspective analysis reveals that hospital users sometimes have ambiguous interpretations of some CIS characteristics and/or implementation practices in terms of their consistency with these four values. Overall, the proposed theory provides a rich explanation of the relationships between CIS characteristics, implementation practices, user values, and the level of difficulty of the implementation process.

Capturing Nursing Care Workflow Disruptions

Clinical information systems implementation in healthcare delivery has changed clinical work patterns. Nursing practice is under pressure of the changes, which often lead to dysfunctional workflow. The purposes for this literature review were (1) to identify what has been examined about disruptions of nursing care workflow in using Clinical information systems and (2) to obtain a lesson for future research to investigate disruptions of nursing care workflow in using Clinical information systems. In reviewed studies, nursing workflow disruptions have limitedly been reported. Nursing care workflow has not been investigated sufficiently; thus, what happened to nursing care workflow by using a Clinical information system has not been fully known. Nurses have a need for the use of a Clinical information system in aspects of nursing perspective in patient care. Unless the use of Clinical information systems provides effective workflow of nursing care, it will result in confusion in nursing practice as well as poor quality of patient care. It is essential to capture disruptions and/or effectiveness in nursing care workflow from the perspectives of nurses. The required research approach to clinical settings is to identify all facets of adverse consequences triggered from the use of a Clinical information system by following the context of nursing care workflow.

HIT Implementation in Critical Access Hospitals: Extent of Implementation and Business Strategies Supporting IT Use

Small rural hospitals face considerable financial and personnel resource shortages which hinder their efforts to implement complex health information technology (HIT) systems. A survey on the use of HIT was completed by 85% of Iowa's 82 Critical Access Hospitals (CAH). Analyses indicate that low IT staffing in CAHs is a barrier to implementing HIT solutions. CAHs with fewer staff tend to employ alternative business strategies. There is a clear relationship between having IT staff at a CAH and the types of technologies used. Many CAHs report having difficulty expanding upon HIT functionalities due to the challenges of finding IT staff with healthcare expertise. Most CAHs are in the transition point of planning for or beginning implementation of complex clinical information systems. Strategies for addressing these challenges will need to evolve as the HIT investments by rural hospitals race to keep pace with the goals for the nation.

Professional Practice and Innovation: Transformation of Emergency Department Processes of Care with EHR, CPOE, and ER Event Tracking Systems

Mercy Medical Center, North Iowa implemented electronic health records (EHR), computerised provider order entry (CPOE) and event tracking systems in the emergency department (ED) as part of hospital-wide implementation of clinical information systems. This case study examines the changes in outcomes and processes in the ED following implementation. Although the system was designed to enhance efficiency, there was a significant increase in the mean length of stay (about 17 minutes, or 15%) in the ED after implementation. This surprising finding was examined in relationship to the multiple process-of-care changes in the ED.

Factors Influencing Outcomes of Clinical Information Systems Implementation

Healthcare agencies spend significant resources to acquire or develop clinical information systems. However, implementation of clinical information systems often report significant failures. A systematic review of the research literature identified processes and outcomes of clinical information system implementation and factors that influenced success or failure. Of 124 original papers, 18 met the primary inclusion criteria-clinical systems implementation, healthcare facility, and outcome measures. Data extraction elements included study characteristics, outcomes, and implementation risk factors classified according to the Expanded Systems Life Cycle. The quality of each study was also assessed. Forty-nine outcomes of clinical information system implementation were identified. No single implementation strategy proved completely effective. The findings of this synthesis direct the attention of managers and decision makers to the importance of clinical context to successful implementation of clinical information systems. The highest number of factors influencing success or failure was reported during implementation and system "go-live." End-user support or lack thereof was the important factor in both successful and failed implementations, respectively. Following the Expanded Systems Life Cycle management model instead of a traditional project management approach may contribute to greater success over time, by paying particular attention to the underrecognized maintenance phase of implementation.

Factors Influencing Implementation and Outcomes of a Dental Electronic Patient Record System

Implementation of clinical information systems is often difficult and costly. Little is known about how to implement electronic patient records in a complex dental school environment. The purpose of this study is to report how such a system was implemented at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Dental Branch and to provide insights that may be useful for other institutions. To identify success factors and barriers, we reviewed project documents, interviewed key individuals on the implementation team, and surveyed end users before and after implementation. Eight critical issues were identified after extensive interviews with the project team. Surveys of students, faculty, and staff before and after implementation indicated that users had mixed feelings about the system in terms of efficiency and time required compared with paper charts. After using the system, many users felt that the electronic patient record improved patient care and that they would recommend such a system to dentists starting a new practice. By sharing lessons learned and knowledge about the science of implementation, we hope to reduce failures and costs for dental schools embarking on large-scale information technology implementations.

Quality Improvement

Outcomes research examines the effects of healthcare interventions and policies on health outcomes for individual patients and populations in routine practice, as opposed to the idealized setting of clinical trials. A national survey from 1998 to 2000 that evaluated the extent to which patients received established processes of care for 30 medical conditions illustrated the importance of outcomes research.1 Among adults living in 12 metropolitan areas in the United States, only half of patients received proven elements of preventive care, treatments for acute illness, and chronic disease management for which they were eligible. For cardiovascular conditions, the use of proven therapies varied widely from 68% to 25% of patients who received recommended care for coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation, respectively.1 Despite these gaps between ideal and actual care, patient outcomes have improved in many fields. For instance, the age-adjusted mortality from cardiovascular disease in the United States fell by >40% from 1980 to 2000 as a result of improvements in risk factor modification and uptake of evidence-based treatments for coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, and heart failure.2,3 Nevertheless, many Americans do not receive the ideal recommended care (either at all or in a timely fashion), whereas others receive too much or the wrong care.4,5 In the field of cardiovascular diseases, substantial opportunities for improvement remain. Outcomes research has generated a foundation of knowledge about what constitutes ideal care and what gaps exist between ideal and actual care, but we have less understanding about how to deliver this ideal care to every patient every day. The potential for basic science breakthroughs to reach and improve the health of individual patients and populations may be substantially delayed or may not be realized if science is not efficiently translated to action. Moreover, in many cases, increased delivery of …

The Importance of Medical and Nursing Sub-cultures in the Implementation of Clinical Information Systems

To measure doctors' and nurses' perceptions of organisational culture and relate this to their attitudes to, and satisfaction with, a hospital-wide mandatory computerised provider order entry (CPOE) system in order to illuminate cultural compositions in CPOE use. A cross-sectional survey design was employed. Data were collected by administering an organisational culture survey (Organisational Culture Inventory, OCI) along with a user-satisfaction survey to a population of 103 doctors and nurses from two clinical units in an Australian metropolitan teaching hospital. Clinicians from the hospital had used the CPOE system since 1991 to order and view clinical laboratory and radiology tests electronically for all patients. The OCI provides a measure of culture in terms of three general styles which distinguish between: constructive; passive/defensive, and aggressive/defensive cultures. The cluster which best describes the overall culture is the one that has the highest percentile score when the percentile scores of the four cultural norms included in the cluster are averaged. The user satisfaction survey asked questions relating to satisfaction with, and attitudes to, the system. We found identifiable sub-cultures based on professional divisions where doctors perceived an aggressive-defensive culture (mean percentile score = 43.8) while nurses perceived a constructive culture (mean percentile score = 61.5). There were significant differences between doctors and nurses on three of the attitude variables with nurses expressing more positive views towards CPOE than doctors. The manifestation of sub-cultures within hospitals and the impact this has on attitudes towards clinical information systems should be recognized and addressed when planning for system implementation. Identification and management of the cultural characteristics of different groups of health professionals may facilitate the successful implementation and use of clinical information systems.

Replacing an Inpatient Electronic Medical Record

Since it is important to develop strategies for the successful implementation of electronic clinical information systems, the aim of this study is to explore where, and to what extent, users' attitudes toward the former system that is being replaced may vary. A cross-sectional survey of 346 nurses and physicians practicing in two Canadian teaching hospitals resulted in a total response rate of 63%. User attitudes were measured in three dimensions: a) user satisfaction with the system's quality attributes, b) perceived system usefulness, and c) perceived impact on quality of care and patient safety. The current system (the one being replaced) was analyzed as a dual system composed of both paper-based and electronic records. The results on user satisfaction demonstrate a wide variation in opinions, with satisfaction ranging from 4.2 to 7.7 on a 10-point disagree-agree, Likert scale. The quality attributes varied by record type, with differences that were systematically in favor of the electronic record component, which received higher scores. The results also highlighted large differences by user group. Physicians and nurses systematically rated the two record formats differently. The nurses were more satisfied with the attributes of the paper-based record. Multivariate regression analyses results also revealed strong interdependencies among the three dimensions of user attitudes, to the extent that perceived system usefulness was strongly correlated with system quality attributes and the system outcomes were also correlated, although less strongly, with the two former system dimensions. Understanding users' attitudes toward a clinical information system in use, both in its paper and electronic aspects, is crucial for developing more successful implementation strategies for electronic record systems.

Square pegs in round holes: Information systems, hospitals and the significance of contextual awareness

The considerable emphasis in the development and implementation of clinical information systems in hospitals internationally seems to have had a limited effect. In particular, the implementation of electronic patient record (EPR) systems has been slower and more difficult than anticipated and with little change in efficiency and security. This paper suggests why this might be the case. Well established research findings within the field of computer supported cooperative work (CSCW – an interdisciplinary research field between informatics and the social sciences) are cited to construct a case for greater awareness of (1) inter- and intra-professional interests, and (2) broader social and health policy contexts. We draw on Gouldner's work [(1957). Cosmopolitans and locals: toward an analysis of latent social roles – I. Administrative Science Quarterly, 2(3), 281–306; (1958). Cosmopolitans and locals: toward an analysis of latent social roles – II. Administrative Science Quarterly, 2 (4), 444–480] on organisational roles to develop a discussion of professional awareness; a pivotal notion is also the interactionist one of the hospital as a ‘negotiated order’. Drawing for illustrative purposes on the Norwegian experience (that is, reviewing research on hospital information systems in Norway), we contend that enhanced awareness of the hospital itself as a social system may be a precondition of cost-effective hospital information and communication technologies.

Improving patient care and clinical governance through the utilisation of a clinical information system

PurposeThis paper seeks to provide an overview of how the involvement of clinicians in the design and implementation of an electronic clinical information system has contributed towards more effective clinical governance, while improving the care of patients with a diagnosis of psychosis.Design/methodology/approachA data collection form was designed by a consultant in public health and a group of consultant psychiatrists to facilitate and standardise the data to be collected and stored on the information system. Two research nurses conducted a retrospective case note audit to record specified data on all existing patients from an inclusive diagnosis list in contact with CMHTs.FindingsThe establishment of PsyCIS has increased the understanding of the nature and prevalence of psychosis in Greater Glasgow for patients aged 18‐65. As well as giving some insight into how the needs of this patient group are being addressed, it has also provided clinicians with the ability to benefit from their collective experience on the treatment and support of this patient group.Practical implicationsTo ensure excellent data quality and information management systems, it is essential to involve clinicians in their design and validation. The primary goal of information should be to aid clinical practice and patient care. Well designed datasets will also provide information that can inform clinical governance as well as the management of services and resources.Originality/valueThis paper supports the view that clinical audit and electronic clinical information systems are imperative for effective clinical governance.

Contextual Implementation Model: A Framework for Assisting Clinical Information System Implementations

ObjectiveThis paper presents a multiple perspectives model of clinical information system implementation, the Contextual Implementation Model (CIM). Although other implementation models have been developed, few are grounded in data and others fail to take adequate account of the clinical environment and users’ requirements. DesignThe CIM arose from qualitative data collected from four clinical units in two large Australian teaching hospitals. The aim of the study was to explore physicians’ test management work practices associated with the compulsory use of a hospital-wide, mandatory computerized provider order entry (CPOE) system.1 The dataset consisted of non-participatory observations of physicians using CPOE (n=55 sessions) and interviews with health professionals (n=28) about test management work practices. Data were analyzed by two researchers independently using an iterative grounded approach. ResultsA core underlying theme of ‘contextual differences’ emerged which explained physicians’ use of the CPOE system in the sites. The CIM focuses attention on diversity at three contextual levels: the organizational level; the clinical or departmental level, and the individual level. Within each of these levels there are dimensions for consideration (for example, organizational culture, leadership and diverse ways of working) which affect physicians’ attitudes to, and use of, CPOE. ConclusionThe CIM provides a contextual differences perspective which can be used to facilitate the implementation of clinical information systems. Developing a clinical information system implementation model serves as a framework to guide future implementations to ensure their safe and efficient use and also improve the likelihood of uptake by physicians.