A simple inpatient psychiatric clinical information system designed and developed by clinicians.
OBJECTIVE
The growth of computer technology allows clinicians to develop a separate information system to replace inefficient paper-based approaches to documenting clinical care.


METHODS
A clinician team developed a system to replace standard paper forms using computer software running on 486 PC computer. Clinicians, directing the project at every step, refined handwritten forms to create a complete word processor application merging information from an individual database.


RESULTS
A system developed outside the traditional hospital information system simplifies the generation of a variety of required inpatient documents (treatment plans, progress notes, patient lists, and treatment summaries). A wide variety of clinicians converted from a traditional paper-based approach to the computer system.


CONCLUSIONS
Computer technology allows the local development of an information system oriented toward clinical needs. Hospital clinical information systems will benefit from the input of clinicians with experience designing a computerized solution.
Tanner
T B
TB
University of Pittsburgh/Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, PA 15213.
Murray
P
P
Allen
M
M
D015510:Clinical Medicine; D006751:Hospital Information Systems; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital; D012984:Software; D012985:Software Design