Evaluation of the Integrated Health Information System (IHIS) in Public Hospitals in Cyprus Utilizing the DIPSA...

The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Cyprus has implemented an Integrated Health Information System (IHIS) in two hospitals. However, no evaluation of IHIS has been conducted to assess its safety, efficiency and effectiveness. The proper utilization of IHIS is essential for the provision of quality healthcare services.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the current IHIS in public hospitals in Cyprus utilizing the DIPSA evaluation framework.

A total of 309 subjects, including doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals, participated in the study. The DIPSA evaluation framework assessed the users' perception in five categories namely, satisfaction, collaboration, system quality, safety and procedures, using Likert scale and 3 open questions. Correlation between the categories was assessed using the Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between the demographic characteristics and categories. Data analysis was done using SPSS v24.

All five categories were rated moderately, between 2.5 and 3, by the participants. All categories were correlated (P < 0.01). Multiple regression analysis indicated the need for improvement between the professionals (mainly doctors and nurses) and the categories. The open questions pointed out the need for improvement in all 3 factors examined (Technology, Human Factor, Organization).

The moderately rated categories, in the Cyprus IHIS, suggest that there is a lot of room for improvement. Some interventions are suggested that could positively and simultaneously affect one or more categories.