Implementing an ICU-CIS integrated to a HIS in Latin America

The hospital has been the main target for Medical Informatics since the beginning of its development. Ancillary and clinical systems entered into the scene first when the financial issues were covered. From those kind of applications the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) represents perhaps the most important challenge to achieve where there is a representative subset of the organization with most variables under control to show the performance of the institution. At the ICU, information technology defines many of the tasks which are performed and enable the professionals to process and interpret the great quantities of data that is generated about the patients and the system in which they receive their treatment and quality assurance (QA) is now almost completely dependent upon information technology in pretty much facets of medical care. In this paper, a clinical information system developed for the ICU is presented where the use of validated severity illness scoring systems and standardized definitions for events and outcomes the care delivered can be analysed comparing clinical outcomes and resource utilization. Cost containment can be also applied and observations simultaneously with quality improvement standards can be undergone. Clinical research regarding medical and nursing practice is also very helpful.