Quick Reference

Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves,
or we know where we can find information upon it.
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784)

Setting Up Healthcare Services Information Systems: A Guide for Requirement Analysis, Application Specification, and Procurement provides a systematic introduction to the most important knowledge components required by decision makers when embarking in the initial stages of healthcare services information systems and information technology planning and development.

The changes in both the healthcare industry in the Region and the information systems industry itself mean an increased level of complexity and detail. In addition, the broad range of development in the Region, from very basic to very sophisticated implementations, calls for a unique approach. Accordingly, this manual has been designed to guide the audience — healthcare administrators and clinical practitioners, and IS&T executives and professionals — along two paths:

• One is the long-term outlook of healthcare IS&T, as forecasted by the consensus perspective of the document’s contributors. Particular attention is devoted to the development of the Computer-based Patient Record and Healthcare Information Networks.

• The second is the focus on practical, tactical implementations found in many current systems throughout the Region and the world. Considerable detailed information is included that speaks to the potential functional specifications for those systems.

With these two concepts in place, the document guides the audience through the current developments occurring in the field of information systems and technology, with appropriate emphasis on its implications for healthcare, and projection of trends. Planning for the IS&T implementation is emphasized. Highlights of successful ingredients of a plan are covered, including development of an IS&T strategic plan, processes and roles, implementation phases, and application modules.

Document Structure

The publication consists of seven parts in a modular format that is intended to provide a framework for study and practical utilization.

• Part A was written with the general reader in mind, one that is interested only in the basic principles and a broad perspective of the area of healthcare services information systems. If a deeper understanding of the technology and market aspects is desired, one may progress to Part B.

• Part B is dedicated to the presentation of the state of the art and trends in the area of health services automation, the features of health services information networks, issues regarding the structuring of the information chain, computer-based patient records, and information project management and implementation aspects of interest to health and systems professionals involved in information systems project development.

• Part C describes in detail the technological and market aspects of systems acquisition, including essential aspects of outsourcing information technology and services, preparation of Request for Proposals (RFP), evaluation of proposals and providers, and negotiating and contracting services and technology.

• Part D describes in detail the basic functionalities that each application should have — it presents a systematic categorization of functions in different formats, with the objective of assisting decision makers in the preparation of request for proposals, in evaluating products, and as a departure point for the discussion with users of desired functions. The focus on the definition of desired functionalities will assist the users in each implementation environment to reach a consensus regarding which basic data elements will then be needed in each application. Part C is the technical core of this document.

• Part E examines particular issues related to the implementation of information systems in the health sector of Latin America and the Caribbean.

• Part F, a highly specialized and technical chapter, addresses the complex issue of data, communication, software and hardware standards, the central element of open systems. Without reliable, approved ways to connect the necessary components, open systems cannot work, and within the healthcare industry there are a number of categories of information that each have separate standards. Four annexes enrich the information presented. This is a technical part, intended to be used as a reference. The knowledgeable healthcare executive will do well to stay current of healthcare standards development. In addition, vendors demonstrating present and future commitment to standards are those most likely to survive in the very competitive healthcare IS&T marketplace, and should be given top consideration by healthcare enterprises in the process of systems selection.

• Part G contains a listing of World Wide Web sites for Health and Medical Informatics and Standards Organizations. Also there is a listing of Pan American Health Organization and World Health Organization publications in the area of Health Informatics.