A strategic information system to facilitate the use of performance indicators in hospitals.
Hospital management teams receive voluminous data from a wide variety of sources, but are unable to distill the essential data they require to make good decisions. We have used a methodology which helps teams define and use important management data coupled with an information system that makes this data accessible. Results of our evaluation indicate that the process of developing a balanced scorecard (BSC) indicator system helps management teams to define meaningful strategic objectives and measurable performance indicators. The framework combined with the information acts as an integrating force, providing a shared understanding of the unit's goals. We conclude that a customized decision support system which integrates multiple measures in a BSC framework is a powerful tool for enabling complex decision making by a management team.
Gordon
D
D
Sunnybrook Health Science Centre, North York, ON. daniel@ibme.utoronto.ca
Carter
M
M
Kunov
H
H
Dolan
A
A
Chapman
F
F
D002170:Canada; D003660:Decision Support Systems, Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D017144:Focus Groups; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D010934:Planning Techniques; D015397:Program Evaluation; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care