Development of a Minimum Data Set (MDS) for C-Section Anesthesia Information Management System (AIMS)

Background

Caesarean section, also known as C-section, is a very common procedure in the world. Minimum data set (MDS) is defined as a set of data elements holding information regarding a series of target entities to provide a basis for planning, management, and performance evaluation. MDS has found a great use in health care information systems. Also, it can be considered as a basis for medical information management and has shown a great potential for contributing to the provision of high quality care and disease control measures.

Objectives

The principal aim of this research was to determine MDS and required capabilities for Anesthesia information management system (AIMS) in C-section in Iran.

Methods

Data items collected from several selected AIMS were studied to establish an initial set of data. The population of this study composed of 115 anesthesiologists was asked to review the proposed data elements and score them in order of importance by using a five-point Likert scale. The items scored as important or highly important by at least 75% of the experts were included in the final list of minimum data set.

Results

Overall 8 classes of data (consisted of 81 key data elements) were determined as final set. Also, the most important required capabilities were related to airway management and hypertension and hypotension management.

Conclusions

In the development of information system (IS) based on MDS and identification, because of the broad involvement of users, IS capabilities must focus on the users’ needs to form a successful system. Therefore, it is essential to assess MDS watchfully by considering the planned uses of data. Also, IS should have essential capabilities to meet the needs of its users.

Hospital Information Systems Implementation: An Evaluation of Critical Success Factors in Northeast of Iran

<p><strong>INTRODUCTION:</strong> Implementation of hospital information systems (HIS) is considered as a difficult and sensitive task in terms of its scope and its mission to collect identity-related, demographic, clinical and managerial data of patients in an integrative manner as well as due to the changes it makes in users’ working practices. The purpose of the present study was to investigate users’ views and attitudes towards the key elements of successful implementation of HIS.</p><p><strong>METHODOLOGY:</strong> This applied study was conducted in a descriptive cross-sectional form. To this end, 248 users of HIS at teaching hospitals in the city of Mashhad (Northeast of Iran) were selected through stratified random sampling, and then a questionnaire was distributed to collect the required data. After collecting the questionnaires, data was entered into the SPSS software and the findings were examined by using descriptive statistics (frequency) and then illustrated in tables and diagrams.</p><p><strong>RESULTS:</strong> Functional factors, meeting users’ needs and ease of use had the highest prominence in successful implementation of a HIS. This mean that HIS considering demands of users is the first critical success factors in HIS implementation.</p><p><strong>CONCLUSION: </strong>The analysis of the research findings demonstrated that three groups including system users, technical operators (professionals) and managers have important role in implementation of HIS. Furthermore, successful implementation of HIS was required to be performed through a formulated program with specified time, costs, and manpower in which the employment and participation of various users of the system had been precisely defined. In this respect, financial supports and presence of hospital management team in meetings and decisions was also of utmost importance.</p>