Research archive: Vol. 36 No.1

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Volume 36 Number 1: >> Technology Issues

	Are general practitioners satisfied with electronic discharge summaries? Melanie Alderton and Joanne Callen p7 [ pdf ] Abstract The aim of this study was to assess general practitioners’ (GPs’) satisfaction with the quality of information in electronic discharge summaries and the timeliness of their receipt of the summaries. the study was conducted in a 75-bed Australian public metropolitan hospital which uses an electronic discharge summary which is mailed to the patients’ nominated GP. Eighty-five GPs were surveyed regarding their satisfaction with the content of the electronic discharge summary and the timeliness of receipt. the majority of respondents indicated that they had received the electronic discharge summary within two weeks of the patients’ discharge from hospital. The majority also indicated that they were satisfied with all eight documentation data elements. Some GPs indicated that they would prefer to receive the electronic discharge summary electronically by email rather than by conventional mail, and that they would like more information in the “follow-up and recommendations” content areas of the summary. It was concluded that the majority of GPs agreed that the electronic discharge summary was an improvement over the manual discharge summary. further developments in the safe and secure electronic transfer of discharge summary information needs to be addressed to meet the information needs of GPs.
	Determining the most important evaluation indicators of health care information systems (HCIS) in Iran Leila Shahmoradi, Maryam Ahmadi and Hamid Haghani p13 [ pdf ] Abstract Accurate evaluation of healthcare information systems (HCIS) relies upon the choice of appropriate indicators. Iranian healthcare and health industry professionals were surveyed, by means of a descriptive cross sectional study, in order to identify the indicators they considered most relevant to the evaluation of healthcare information systems currently in use in Iran. It was concluded that effective evaluation of HCIS should encompass a variety of perspectives and methodologies (including qualitative methodologies), focus upon technical, economic and organisational concerns, and involve diversely constituted research teams.
	Managing health information during disasters: a survey of Victorian hospitals' current specialised health information systems Erin Smith. Amee Morgans, Jennifer Biggs and Ross Buchanan p23 [ pdf ] Abstract It can be predicted that a substantial number of patients will seek medical care during a possible disaster, placing an increased strain on hospital resources, including health information services. With medical records playing a vital role in the identification of patients and documentation of patient care, the ability of the health information system to cope with this projected surge in demand needs to be addressed. this study was designed to investigate the expected use of specialised health information systems for disasters in Victorian hospitals during such contingencies. Specifically, this study investigated what type of specialised systems hospitals had in place at the time and whether a standard for specialised health information systems for disasters was needed. While 79% of responding hospitals reported having a specialised health information system for disasters, 91% of all responding hospitals reported that specialised health information systems for disasters were necessary. all specialised systems were paper-based, and 94% were based on the standard medical record format and content. finally, 64% of hospitals believed that a Standard for specialised disaster medical records should be developed.