Title: Evaluation of a computerised clinical documentation system (CCDS) implementation in the transplant laboratory

Authors: Phi A. Lai; Steven S. Geier; Shankar Srinivasan; Dinesh P. Mital; Syed Haque

Addresses: Department of Health Informatics-UMDNJ, Newark, NJ 07107-3001, USA; Temple University Hospital, 3401 Broad St. Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA ' Department of Health Informatics-UMDNJ, Newark, NJ 07107-3001, USA; Temple University Hospital, 3401 Broad St. Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA ' Department of Health Informatics-UMDNJ, Newark, NJ 07107-3001, USA ' Department of Health Informatics-UMDNJ, Newark, NJ 07107-3001, USA ' Department of Health Informatics-UMDNJ, Newark, NJ 07107-3001, USA

Abstract: Although many handwritten reports have been replaced by computer generated ones in clinical laboratories, they still remain a common feature in many transplant laboratories for two main reasons: either the laboratory information system (LIS) does not support report formats, or it is costly to purchase a specialised database. A time and motion study was conducted to evaluate one such clinical database, the IG database. Before and after the implementation of our IG database, we evaluated the: 1) stationary cost reduction from paper, toner cartridge, and other auxiliaries; 2) turn-around time from the laboratory information system (MediTech); 3) time reduction on analysing report using the electronic reports on three main testing areas; HLA typing, antibody screening, and cross-matching. Approximately $22,035 is saved annually. The turn-around time (TAT) and time on analysing report (TAR) are statistically significant in all testing areas. The IG database demonstrated a significant reduction in cost, a decrease in turn-around time and time on analysing report, and an increase in overall efficiency.

Keywords: bioinformatics; electronic health records; EHR; electronic medical records; EMR; computerised clinical documentation system; CCDS; transplant information systems; TIS; laboratory information systems; LIS; database; turn-around time; TAT; cost analysis; electronic reports; HLA typing; antibody screening; cross-matching.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMEI.2013.051663

International Journal of Medical Engineering and Informatics, 2013 Vol.5 No.1, pp.31 - 45

Published online: 28 Jan 2014 *

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