User attitudes to a heritage hospital information system

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Hospital Information Systems
• System Modernization

Background:

• Heritage systems, defined as outdated technology still in use, pose significant challenges in healthcare environments.
• Groote Schuur Hospital utilizes a Hospital Information System (HIS) exceeding 25 years of operational life.
• The continued use of such legacy systems can lead to inefficiencies and potential patient safety concerns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess user attitudes towards an aging Hospital Information System (HIS).
• To evaluate the level of user involvement with the current HIS.
• To determine if users perceive a need for system change and its relation to their involvement.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted among users of the Groote Schuur Hospital's HIS.
• Data collected focused on user perceptions of the system's age and functionality.
• Analysis explored the correlation between user involvement and the perceived need for system replacement.

Main Results:

• User attitudes and sense of involvement with the legacy HIS were documented.
• Findings indicate a relationship between user involvement and the perceived necessity for system modernization.
• Specifics on user sentiment regarding the 25-year-old HIS are detailed.

Conclusions:

• User involvement significantly influences perceptions of the need for upgrading outdated hospital information systems.
• Addressing user engagement is crucial for successful HIS modernization initiatives.
• The study highlights the importance of user-centric approaches in managing legacy healthcare IT.