The challenge of implementing health information systems :a case study in Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis investigates the complexities involved in Health Information Systems. The focusis on the factors of a) efficiency and b) usability. A case study is made of a recentlyimplemented system in Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic hospital. The firstobjective of the research was to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of HealthInformation Systems, and secondly to evaluate the situation at Charlotte MaxekeJohannesburg Academic Hospital.In Chapter 1 a detailed introduction of the thesis is offered. This includes, explaining whattriggered the research, the objective of the research and the methodology used to conduct theresearch.In Chapter 2 the focus is on a literature review of Health Information Systems, systemfundamentals and planning and implementation. It is clear that without a methodology,systems development becomes haphazard and subsequently a risky and expensiveundertaking. While change is pervasive, introducing operational efficiencies sometimes maynecessitate reviewing of information systems and business strategy, knowledge managementand process orientation.In Chapter 3 the issue of usability is investigated. Several healthcare institutions haveimplemented information systems but evaluations of the usability of these systems are stillunder debate. For purposes of this research an evaluation method for system usability andsurvey questionnaires were developed.In Chapter 4 the case study of Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital isreported. The chapter also describes the data collection design, research limitations anddelimitations, survey findings and interpretations.In Chapter 5 the implications and applications of Health Information Systems are discussed.After analysis of the survey results, it appears that the impact and benefits of the new HealthInformation System are only positive or realized in the patient administration division. Therest of the health professionals continue to manually capture clinical notes and othermanagement information on pieces of papers, spread sheets and word documents.The thesis comes to the conclusion that despite widespread use of technology in other sectors,clinicians in hospitals do not use implemented automated systems. Implementation ofsystems is complex and problems associated with usability are not resolved and thattraditional systems implementation methodologies may not apply.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University