Research review: computer tools for health information management at a substance abuse treatment agency

The process of computerizing the Quantitative and Qualitative Record Analysis functions in a Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) accredited substance abuse treatment facility is presented. Consultants analyzed the manual Quantitative and Qualitative systems, assessed computer resources, and developed and installed computerized systems. The computer programs produce uniform reports used by the agency's various monitoring and evaluation committees. The programs significantly reduced the amount of personnel and consultant time devoted to these tasks. During the first year of operation, this reduction in time saved the agency $3,900.