A structured approach to evaluating and selecting clinical laboratory information systems

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Decision Science

Background:

• Clinical laboratory computer systems are crucial for efficient operations.
• Numerous methods exist for evaluating and selecting these systems, ranging from informal to formal approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review common methods for evaluating and selecting clinical laboratory computer systems.
• To detail the multiattribute utility model as a recommended approach for decision-making.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing evaluation and selection methodologies for clinical laboratory computer systems.
• In-depth explanation of the multiattribute utility model.

Main Results:

• Common informal and formal methods for system evaluation were identified.
• The multiattribute utility model was presented as a robust framework for decision-making.

Conclusions:

• The multiattribute utility model is proposed as the most effective method for successful clinical laboratory computer system selection.
• Structured decision-making enhances the likelihood of choosing the optimal system.