Results for “Information Retrieval Systems--cost” — Page 2

PubMed1994

Computerized documentation of pharmacists' interventions.

A computerized system for documenting interventions, developed by the pharmacy department at a 695-bed tertiary care university teaching hospital, is described. A computerized system was developed to better gain the needed details on pharmacists' recommendations, to capture a greater number of such recommendations, and to prepare for recent changes in standards of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Only clinically important recommendations or those that involve cost savings are documented. Data can be entered and retrieved from any medical information system terminal in the hospital, and each entry becomes part of the patient's permanent record. A hard copy of all recommendations and a data file are generated daily. Analysis of the data has provided numerous opportunities for improving both patient care and the quality of pharmaceutical services. The system has been well received by pharmacists and has resulted in physician support of pharmacists' recommendations, as well as substantial cost savings. A convenient, easy-to-use computerized program for reporting interventions has helped a pharmacy department conduct departmental and institutional quality assurance activities and decrease costs.

Clinical Pharmacy Information Systems↗

PubMed1997

Introduction of an ultrasound picture archiving and communication system: experience in the first year.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the authors' first year's experience with a picture archiving and communication system (PACS) for the management and storage of ultrasound images and to discuss the financial impact of the system in terms of costs of purchase, installation and operation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Toronto Hospital, General Division, performs more than 30000 ultrasound studies each year. On June 27, 1994, an Ultra PACS (ALI Technology Incorporated, Richmond, BC) was introduced as the only method of image storage and archiving in the Ultrasound Division. RESULTS: After structural renovations and a detailed work flow analysis, the Ultrasound Division converted from film to the PACS over a single weekend with no back-up. The advantages to date include consistently high-quality images; rapid image retrieval (images from the same day [online], 0 to 45 seconds; archived images [online], 3 to 5 minutes; images in storage [offline], 3 minutes); no loss of images; more efficient patient through-put, which allows the division to handle the same number of patients in 20% less operational time (change from a 10-hour day to an 8-hour day, over a 5-day week); less end-of-day overtime; and an improved work environment. There has been no change in the division's complement of full-time equivalent technologists, the number of film librarians has been reduced by 1, and physician service time has decreased by 20%. There has been no significant impact on overall operational financial status. CONCLUSION: The PACS has proved an efficient method for managing large numbers of ultrasound images in a cost-effective and technically sound manner. Its installation provides the basis for meeting the Ultrasound Division's next objective, to eliminate paper as the primary method of managing patient information and reports.

Computer Communication Networks↗