Implementation of a Regional Health Information System - Overview of Selected Outcomes in One Hospital District

摘要

The aim of this paper is to give an overview of some selected outcomes after the implementation of a Regional Health Information System (RHIS) in one hospital district in Finland. The implementation project of the Regional Health Information Systems (SALPA) administered by Satakunta Hospital District in 2004 - 2007 is comprised of integrated services between primary, secondary and tertiary care. The general aim was to provide the member municipalities' access to specialised health care information and sustain seamless care, and to enhance organisational information exchange regardless of time and place. The data were collected by using computer-based statistics and reports in 2004 - 2007 of the selected outcomes: laboratory and radiology tests and appointments in the member municipalities of the hospital district area. Preliminary results of the selected outcomes indicate that the laboratory tests seem mainly to have increased. However, the radiographic tests and the clinicians' appointments seem mainly to have reduced. A deeper investigation should be done in order to determine the outcomes in the field under investigation.