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Developing and using a data repository for quality improvement: the genesis of IRIS
1Inova Health System, Fairfax, VA, USA.
The Joint Commission Journal on Quality Improvement
|October 1, 1995
Summary
The Inova Research Information System (IRIS) is a patient data repository supporting quality improvement and clinical research. It enables data analysis for better patient outcomes and healthcare management.
Area of Science:
- Health Informatics
- Clinical Data Management
- Healthcare Systems Engineering
Background:
- Inova Health System initiated the Inova Research Information System (IRIS) in 1991.
- IRIS was developed as a patient data repository to enhance clinical quality improvement, managed care contracting, and technology assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish an integrated and standardized electronic format for critical patient data.
- To provide a principal resource for data analysis to support studies on care processes and patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Developed a prototype database with input from five key user groups, each led by an influential physician.
- Utilized IRIS for comparative analysis of patient management and outcomes.
Main Results:
- IRIS facilitates data-driven identification of opportunities for quality improvement (QI).
- Analysis using IRIS showed a significantly shorter length of stay for acute myocardial infarction patients treated by cardiologists (5.5 days) compared to internists (7.5 days) or family practitioners (7.7 days).
Conclusions:
- IRIS provides an architecture for studying patients, clinicians, and administrators, along with their outcomes.
- Availability of three years of integrated clinical and financial data by end of 1995 will enable a feedback loop for continuous clinical and managerial learning.