Title: Examining the effects of healthcare technology on US hospitals' operational cost

Authors: Linda W. Byrd, Terry Anthony Byrd

Addresses: School of Nursing, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA. ' Department of Management, Auburn University, 415 West Magnolia Avenue, Auburn, AL 36849, USA

Abstract: The cost of healthcare in the USA is ever increasing. Healthcare providers and other stakeholders have noted the effects of information technology (IT) on cost reductions of operations in other industries and have championed a move to more IT investment in the healthcare industry. This study examines some early IT investments by single system US hospitals to determine if integrated IT applications help reduce cost relative to hospitals that have not made such investments. The finding shows that, thus far, investments in IT have actually increased costs in hospitals.

Keywords: healthcare technology; healthcare cost; healthcare informatics; IT value; information technology; healthcare costs; USA; United States; operational costs; IT investment; hospital costs; cost reduction.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHTM.2010.033277

International Journal of Healthcare Technology and Management, 2010 Vol.11 No.1/2, pp.96 - 103

Published online: 16 May 2010 *

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