Faisal Sultan1, Muhammad Tahir Aziz2, Idrees Khokhar3, Hussain Qadri4, Manzar Abbas3, Amir Mukhtar3, Waqar Manzoor3, Muhammed Aasim Yusuf5. 1. Department of Internal Medicine, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Center (SKMCH&RC), 7A, Block R3, Johar Town, Lahore, Pakistan. Electronic address: faisal@skm.org.pk. 2. Department of Pharmaceutical Services, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Center (SKMCH&RC), 7A, Block R3, Johar Town, Lahore, Pakistan. 3. Management Information System, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Center (SKMCH&RC), 7A, Block R3, Johar Town, Lahore, Pakistan. 4. Quality Assurance Department, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Center (SKMCH&RC), 7A, Block R3, Johar Town, Lahore, Pakistan. 5. Department of Internal Medicine, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Center (SKMCH&RC), 7A, Block R3, Johar Town, Lahore, Pakistan.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To review our experience of development and implementation of an electronic hospital information system, its costs and return on investment as well as incorporation of some key quality standards. METHODS: Cost and saving trends of the project were calculated using different tools including project expense, cost saving through cessation of printing radiology films and paper. Net present value with payback period was utilized to evaluate the efficiency of the health information systems. Qualitative improvements in different healthcare functions were also analyzed. RESULTS: The total saving of the project was approximately US$ 5.1 million with net saving of US$ 3.5 million for the period from 2001 to 2011. The net present value of the project is US$ 3.2 million with a payback period of 3.4 years. CONCLUSIONS: Electronic hospital information systems and health records hold the potential to be useful tools for quality improvement and error reduction. Adoption of such systems, however, has been slow and erratic, worldwide. Utilizing the concept of net present value, development of such a system may be financially viable for some institutions. Instead of simply replacing paper, these systems may also be used to improve information management and improve quality of patient care.
OBJECTIVES: To review our experience of development and implementation of an electronic hospital information system, its costs and return on investment as well as incorporation of some key quality standards. METHODS: Cost and saving trends of the project were calculated using different tools including project expense, cost saving through cessation of printing radiology films and paper. Net present value with payback period was utilized to evaluate the efficiency of the health information systems. Qualitative improvements in different healthcare functions were also analyzed. RESULTS: The total saving of the project was approximately US$ 5.1 million with net saving of US$ 3.5 million for the period from 2001 to 2011. The net present value of the project is US$ 3.2 million with a payback period of 3.4 years. CONCLUSIONS: Electronic hospital information systems and health records hold the potential to be useful tools for quality improvement and error reduction. Adoption of such systems, however, has been slow and erratic, worldwide. Utilizing the concept of net present value, development of such a system may be financially viable for some institutions. Instead of simply replacing paper, these systems may also be used to improve information management and improve quality of patient care.