Mapping the future of hospital information systems: priorities for nursing applications

The purpose of this study was to determine the value of computerized applications to nurse users in a large acute-care university-affiliated hospital. A hospital information system has been in place since 1983. A convenience sample of 77 staff nurses and 33 nurse managers from various clinical areas rated the benefits for decision making and patient care of approximately 19 existing automated applications, and prioritized for future acquisition, approximately 40 applications not currently available. Results of the study revealed that of the applications currently automated, respondents ranked the applications of results reporting, order entry, nursing station census, and message switching as most useful for decision making and patient care. Applications identified as high priorities for future acquisition were on-line charting, automated medication record, and enhanced results reporting.