Computing in clinical departments: implications for the design of hospital information systems

Information technology is of increasing importance to the health service. Two main types of system have grown up, those in clinical departments and central administrative systems. It is important to consider their inter-relationships. A clinical system in the Renal Unit at Manchester Royal Infirmary is described, which is typical of many departmental systems. Further work is reported demonstrating an impressive commonality in the requirements of different clinical disciplines and supporting the view that departmental systems are a valuable source of accurate management data. The experience gained from designing departmental systems is reviewed. It is concluded that the participation of users is essential to the successful design and implementation of systems in the National Health Service and that departmental systems have a crucial role to play in the development of district information systems.