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The costs involved in running a fully computerized primary care system for a district
Medical Informatics = Medecine Et Informatique
|July 1, 1980
Summary
The Exeter Community Health Services Computer Project (ECHSCP) developed an integrated patient record system. This study estimates the cost per patient for a fully computerized district-based primary care system using 1970s technology.
Area of Science:
- Health Informatics
- Primary Care Management
- Health Economics
Background:
- The Exeter Community Health Services Computer Project (ECHSCP) initiated a fully integrated patient record system in 1971.
- By 1975, systems for hospital administration, nursing records, and primary care were operational.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the current costs of the ECHSCP system.
- To estimate the per-patient costs for a fully computerized district-based primary care system.
Main Methods:
- The study extrapolates costs from the operational ECHSCP system.
- Cost analysis is based on equipment originally procured in 1971 and operational in 1980.
Main Results:
- The ECHSCP system successfully replaced manual records with a computer-based system for general practitioners.
- The system was implemented in two health centers, serving a total of 12 general practitioners.
- The potential for district-wide service covering approximately 285,000 patients was identified.
Conclusions:
- The paper provides cost estimations for a district-wide computerized primary care system.
- The findings are based on an early, long-standing integrated health record system.