Determinants of Information System Adoptions in Private Hospitals in Malaysia

摘要

Goldschmidt (2005) defined the hospital information system as "The application of information processing involving both computer hardware and software that deals with the storage, retrieval, sharing, and use of health care information, data, and knowledge for communication and decision making". This definition includes such applications as: electronic health record, electronic billing, electronic discharging and telemedicine. For instance, by implementing the electronic health record, hospitals can save expense associated with record keeping, improved workflows, practice management and billing including one-time electronic order entry and the elimination of transcription. In Malaysia, hospitals across the country are continually searching for ways to ensure patient safety and improve the quality of care. Jack (2005) mentioned a few important factors in successful implementation of information systems for a hospital, which include a culture of safety, attraction and retaining key personnel, revision and continually updating quality improvement processes, and giving the staff tools to excel. In addition, an internal environment that constantly focuses on quality and a set of practical tools that promote good outcomes and quality improvement on a daily basis also form success factors of information system adoption in hospitals. Elements of these factors include strong leadership, high-quality nursing and physician staff, leading-edge technology and information systems, and sophisticated data analysis and performance monitoring systems. Despite some cases of successful information system development projects, it is widely accepted that an unacceptable number of projects failed.