Using nursing information systems to enhance quality service across multiple service providers

This study explored the key requirements identified by stakeholders for the integration of Nursing Information Systems (NIS) in three public hospitals in the southern suburbs of Adelaide. The study used a qualitative approach of semi-structured interviews, focus groups, site visits to the hospitals and review of relevant literature to ascertain what participants saw as the necessary ingredients to create regional NIS. Study findings showed that the current NIS are not sustainable in terms of staffing levels, physical resources or the capacity of the two currently-used computer products to interface with newer generation products. A critical issue for adopting a regional model is the willingness of local sites to revise their current internal structures and functions. This restructuring towards a regionalised NIS would improve overall communication, education, security efficiency and sustainability.