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Evolution of a computerized support system for health care capacity planning
K E Kilpatrick1, W B Vogel, J L Carswell
1Department of Health Policy and Administration, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599.
Journal of Medical Systems
|October 1, 1988
Summary
This paper details the development of a computerized health care capacity planning system for the Veterans Administration (VA). It covers early system attempts, refinements, and future plans for improved healthcare resource management.
Area of Science:
- Health Services Research
- Health Informatics
- Health Care Management
Background:
- The Veterans Administration (VA) health care system sought to improve capacity planning through computerization.
- Early attempts at computerization faced significant deficiencies requiring iterative refinement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the evolution of a computerized support system for health care capacity planning within the VA.
- To document the progression of planning logic and software configurations.
Main Methods:
- Historical review of system development within the VA.
- Analysis of early computerization attempts and subsequent modifications.
- Description of evolving planning methodologies and software architectures.
Main Results:
- The VA's health care capacity planning system underwent significant evolution from initial concepts to more refined configurations.
- Deficiencies in early systems necessitated continuous improvements in both logic and software.
Conclusions:
- The development of computerized support systems for health care capacity planning is an iterative process.
- Ongoing refinement of planning logic and software is crucial for effective healthcare resource management in large systems like the VA.