IT-benchmarking of clinical workflows: concept, implementation, and evaluation.
Due to the emerging evidence of health IT as opportunity and risk for clinical workflows, health IT must undergo a continuous measurement of its efficacy and efficiency. IT-benchmarks are a proven means for providing this information. The aim of this study was to enhance the methodology of an existing benchmarking procedure by including, in particular, new indicators of clinical workflows and by proposing new types of visualisation. Drawing on the concept of information logistics, we propose four workflow descriptors that were applied to four clinical processes. General and specific indicators were derived from these descriptors and processes. 199 chief information officers (CIOs) took part in the benchmarking. These hospitals were assigned to reference groups of a similar size and ownership from a total of 259 hospitals. Stepwise and comprehensive feedback was given to the CIOs. Most participants who evaluated the benchmark rated the procedure as very good, good, or rather good (98.4%). Benchmark information was used by CIOs for getting a general overview, advancing IT, preparing negotiations with board members, and arguing for a new IT project.
Health Informatics Research Group, Hochschule Osnabrück, Germany.
Johannes
J
Thye
Health Informatics Research Group, Hochschule Osnabrück, Germany.
Matthias-Christopher
MC
Straede
Health Informatics Research Group, Hochschule Osnabrück, Germany.
Jan-David
JD
Liebe
Health Informatics Research Group, Hochschule Osnabrück, Germany.
Ursula
U
Hübner
D019985:Benchmarking / Q000379:methods*; D008490:Medical Informatics / Q000145:classification* / Q000592:standards*; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D012015:Reference Standards; D057188:Workflow