The financial impact of underestimating personnel needs associated with implementing a computerized patient record in the intensive care unit.
OBJECTIVE
We tracked the cost of implementing a computerized patient record across 3 intensive care units at a large pediatric hospital.


METHODS
This is a descriptive case study. We compared our initial budget estimates at the time of purchase with the actual expenditures during phase 1 implementation.


RESULTS
The total estimated phase 1 implementation cost was $2,945,339, and the actual cost was $3,973,235, a difference of more than $1 million and 35% higher than anticipated. The initial budget breakdown was 51% software, 28% hardware, and 21% personnel. Our actual cost breakdown was 41% software, 23% hardware, and 37% personnel. Software costs were 7% more than budgeted. Hardware costs were 8% more than budgeted. Personnel costs were 139% higher than anticipated and accounted for 83% of our underestimation of costs.


CONCLUSIONS
Personnel costs are a significant portion of the costs of implementing a computerized patient record. Underestimation of these costs could have a negative fiscal impact on a hospital.
Randolph
Adrienne G
AG
Department of Anesthesia, Children's Hospital, Boston, Boston, MA 02115, USA. adrienne.randolph@childrens.harvard.edu
Ogawa
Scott
S
D002017:Budgets; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D006751:Hospital Information Systems / Q000191:economics* / Q000458:organization & administration; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000191:economics*; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized / Q000191:economics* / Q000458:organization & administration; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000191:economics*