The introduction of a computerized system for notification and improved analysis of infectious diseases in Sheffield.
In 1989 the manual system of recording and analysing notifications of infectious disease in Sheffield was replaced by a computerized system based on the Epi Info software package. An analysis of the costs and benefits of this change shows that there has been a one-off cost of 780-930 h spent in developing the system. Offset against this is a continuing saving of time of around 400 h per annum. Other benefits which are harder to measure are enumerated and discussed. Costs of computer hardware and software are not substantial in comparison with the savings in staff time.
Payne
J N
JN
Department of Public Health, Trent Regional Health Authority, Sheffield.
D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003625:Data Collection; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007256:Information Systems / Q000191:economics; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012984:Software