ROLE OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS ON IMPROVING QUALITY IN HEALTHCARE

The efforts for improving the quality of health services have been intensively continuing as in the past. Each factor which effects the quality of health services is analyzed in detail and shared with the public. Many experts who take part in health services sector consider that information systems are among crucial factors effecting the quality of health services. Computer-aided systems are especially needed in the hospitals where advanced technologies are used and information flow is intensive. These systems combine the information produced by different service units via both service providers and technological devices and these information are put into use of health staff when needed by the help of computer-aided systems. Nowadays, many instruments have been designed in order to meet these needs and many of them have been used in hospitals. These means had become components of integrated hospital information systems over time. Many researches analyzing the effects of hospital information on the quality of health services had been carried out. These researches put forth that hospital information systems improve the quality of health services by assuring display of intended health data in time, by submitting patient results to those concerned in due time, by decreasing major medication errors via standardized order entries, by ensuring user compliance with clinical guidelines via reminders, by giving patient and the families the opportunity for getting involved in care process, by facilitating administrative procedures and by improving disease surveillance. However, these improvements are about the functions of hospital information systems and each function does not take part in each hospital information system. This study includes potential functions of hospital information systems for improving quality, the research results of these functions and expert remarks. The study aims at giving ideas to the hospital directors who think about purchasing and using these information systems and to the health professionals who endeavor for improving health services in the hospitals.