On the use of a hospital information system in evaluating clinical care: a case report

In this paper we describe, as an example, how we obtained the information needed to evaluate a newly introduced protocol for ordering X-rays for ankle trauma patients. Extensive use was made of available data and facilities of the hospital information system (HIS). Procedures for collecting the required additional data, which were not recorded in the HIS but were needed to evaluate the protocol, were embedded in the current medical and administrative routine of the emergency room. These additional data were also stored in the HIS. Periodically all data were downloaded to a personal computer to analyse the impact of using the protocol on quality of care and costs. In total 1241 patients entered the study, and for 1149 patients a complete dataset was obtained. The sensitivity and specificity of the protocol at the threshold value which was used during the initial study period was 0.77 and 0.80. The reduction in the number of ankle X-rays due to the protocol was significant when compared with a strategy of ordering an X-ray for every ankle trauma patient visiting the emergency room.