An integrated hospital information system in The Netherlands

The development of an experimental integrated hospital information system (HIS) at Leiden University Hospital was initiated by the Dutch government in 1972. As a result of this experiment, a sophisticated HIS is now used by 45 hospitals in the Netherlands, which together have more than 35% (22,000) of the acute care hospital beds in the country. Further development and maintenance of the system are in the hands of a nonprofit organization called BAZIS. This article describes the characteristics of the system and its functions. Special attention is given to technical issues, use of the system, costs, and the organizational structure overseeing multi-hospital participation.