Hospital information systems--a need to re-evaluate the roles of management

Hospital information systems are now entering a third generation, not only as regards new technology but more significantly with regard to the role of those involved in their design and implementation. This new emphasis requires a re-evaluation of the roles of the designer and user. In the design of a hospital information system, its unique nature--relating central management to a number of independent clinical specialties--must be recognized. One way to achieve this is the establishment of a minimum basic data set dictated by the specific needs of top management interacting with independent clinical subsystems.