title: Information for management--the extent of information management in the acute care hospital sector.
abstract: The article explores the contributions of information and information technology to health care management by means of a study into current information use in a small acute care hospital and the preparations for new general practitioner purchasing systems. The findings highlight the interdependency between manual and computer systems and key departments in the hospital. With increased emphasis on primary health care, there is a greater need for information sharing between the hospital and general practitioners. Provision of information itself becomes a factor in determining service quality. Information systems are therefore emerging as an element in gaining competitive advantage in hospitals in the United Kingdom.
authors.affiliation: School of Management, Queen's University of Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Carson
mesh_terms: D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration; D006744:Hospital Bed Capacity, 100 to 299; D006751:Hospital Information Systems / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006779:Hospitals, Public / Q000458:organization & administration; D019451:Information Management / Q000592:standards*; D015274:Interdepartmental Relations; D008500:Medical Records Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009660:Northern Ireland; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D013222:State Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration; D018511:Systems Integration