A computer-based tutorial for H.I.S. orientation: laboratory results retrieval

Computer-based training developed with high-level software packages offers a cost-efficient means of orienting large numbers of personnel to a hospital information system. Equally important, a decentralized, self-administered, self-paced tutorial allows professional personnel to get training where and when they want it, with as little or as much reinforcement as they desire. We will demonstrate the tutorial we developed to train 2500 clinical and unit support personnel to use the first clinical module of our Patient Care Information System. Although the Laboratory Results Inquiry function was simple to use, many of our staff had had little or no exposure to computers, and none knew how to use the system we would be implementing. About 300 of our 2500 personnel elected to come to mentored group classes, where the same computer-based tutorial was used, but a trained "superuser" was available to answer questions and offer guidance.