Title: Accuracy of information as a mediator of IT and quality of healthcare

Authors: Linda W. Byrd; Terry Anthony Byrd

Addresses: School of Nursing, Auburn University, 214 Miller Hall Auburn, AL 36849, USA ' College of Business, Department of Aviation and Supply Chain, Auburn University, 403D Lowder Hall Auburn, AL 36849, USA

Abstract: Hospital administrators, healthcare providers and healthcare delivery systems strive to provide safe and quality care for patients in very complex environments. Information technology (IT) has been taunted as a way to reduce medical errors while increasing the overall quality of healthcare in organisations that provide these services. This study investigates how clinical IT may impact the quality of healthcare in healthcare institutions through the effect of accuracy of information for the clinical decision making of registered nurses. Key informant method was used with a survey mailed and email. Response rate was 21.4%. A principal finding is that IT affects accuracy of information as well as the quality of healthcare in hospitals. Our analysis is an early investigation and guide to future research that helps to facilitate the accumulation of knowledge of the effects of the implementation of IT in healthcare organisations.

Keywords: information quality; information accuracy; healthcare quality; survey; registered nurses; clinical IT applications; electronic healthcare; e-healthcare; healthcare technology; information technology; clinical decision making; hospitals.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBET.2013.055376

International Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, 2013 Vol.11 No.3, pp.270 - 285

Published online: 27 Sep 2014 *

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