The implementation of complex clinical information systems (CIS) requires a considerable amount of time, money and personnel resources. To adequately plan an implementation, home health administrators should assess their organization's capacity to make changes and the resources needed to be successful in implementing their information system. The purpose of this study was to determine what the critical elements of organizational capacity and resource needs are in healthcare organizations implementing clinical information systems.
This study used structured interview questions derived from research conducted in management information and health management information systems literature. Home health agencies were selected from a national computer users group and key informants were asked to give their comments related to organizational capacity and resource needs in home healthcare agencies prior to clinical information systems implementation. Qualitative computer analysis identified themes related to organizational capacity and resource needs. These themes were then organized using manifest content analysis to describe the critical elements necessary for successful CIS implementation.
The results of this study concluded that there are certain critical elements related to various organizational capacity themes such as communications processes, executive management commitment, organizational benefit recognition and staff acceptance of change that influence the success of clinical information system implementation in home health agencies. Major themes include the use of communication for implementing change and availability of clinical and information technology expertise for proper planning and CIS implementation. These critical elements can be used to measure variables associated with organizational capacity and resource needs in the form of a formal organizational assessment during the planning and prior to the implementation of a clinical information system.
My Research