title: Implementing a local area network for nursing in a large teaching hospital.
abstract: The authors describe the assessment, planning, implementation, and benefits of a local area network (LAN) for the nursing service of a 504-bed urban teaching hospital. The major goals of the network were to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the nursing administrative areas and improve communication systems. A network of more than 90 workstations, spanning 12 buildings, was installed. The network provides access to multiple programs that support clinical, managerial, and research activities. Gateways provide access to the hospital's two mainframe computers. Network benefits identified by nursing management include: improved communication and access to information; increased accuracy, efficiency and timeliness of data; and improved computer literacy.
authors.affiliation: Beth Israel Hospital, Nursing Department, Boston, MA 02215.
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Reiley
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McKinney
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Welch
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Toomey
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McCausland
mesh_terms: D001900:Boston; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D005544:Forecasting; D006746:Hospital Bed Capacity, 500 and over; D006751:Hospital Information Systems / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006786:Hospitals, Urban / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008122:Local Area Networks; D009718:Nurse Administrators; D009738:Nursing Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D010934:Planning Techniques