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Integrated clinical database in a health maintenance organization
M Krall1, T Mysinger, J Pearson
1Kaiser Permanente Northwest Region, Portland, Oregon USA.
Medinfo. MEDINFO
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Kaiser Permanente implemented a clinical information system integrating diverse data into one database. This system enhances patient care and offers cost savings through efficient data management.
Area of Science:
- Health Informatics
- Clinical Information Systems
Background:
- Healthcare organizations face challenges integrating disparate departmental data systems.
- A unified clinical database is essential for efficient patient information management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the development and implementation of a comprehensive clinical information system (CIS).
- To integrate patient data from multiple departmental systems into a single clinical database.
- To establish a foundation for future clinical information system advancements.
Main Methods:
- Implemented the first phase of a CIS using periodic batch downloads of patient data.
- Integrated data including demographics, lab results, pharmacy, radiology, and clinical reports.
- Developed a system for over 380,000 Health Plan Members.
Main Results:
- The CIS successfully integrated information from disparate systems into a single database.
- The system demonstrated ease and speed of implementation through batch data downloads.
- In March 1994, approximately 1,600 users generated ~410,000 transactions, indicating high system utilization.
- Quantifiable cost-savings from reduced chart pulls and phone calls were observed.
Conclusions:
- The implemented CIS is fast, intuitive, reliable, and user-friendly.
- The system has partially offset development and implementation costs through quantifiable savings.
- Potential for greater cost-savings and improved quality of care exists, surpassing initial financial benefits.