Usefulness of a Regional Health Care Information System in primary care: a case study.
The goal of this paper is to describe some benefits and possible cost consequences of computer based access to specialised health care information. A before-after activity analysis regarding 20 diabetic patients' clinical appointments was performed in a Health Centre in Satakunta region in Finland. Cost data, an interview, time-and-motion studies, and flow charts based on modelling were applied. Access to up-to-date diagnostic information reduced redundant clinical re-appointments, repeated tests, and mail orders for missing data. Timely access to diagnostic information brought about several benefits regarding workflow, patient care, and disease management. These benefits resulted in theoretical net cost savings. The study results indicated that Regional Information Systems may be useful tools to support performance and improve efficiency. However, further studies are required in order to verify how the monetary savings would impact the performance of Health Care Units.
Satakunta Central Hospital, Department of Administration, Sairaalantie 3, 28500 Pori, Finland. marianne.maass@hotmail.com
Marianne C
MC
Maass
Paula
P
Asikainen
Tiina
T
Mäenpää
Olli
O
Wanne
Tarja
T
Suominen
D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005387:Finland; D006751:Hospital Information Systems / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D012041:Regional Medical Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019114:Remote Consultation / Q000379:methods*; D012984:Software; D014584:User-Computer Interface