Implementation of DIPSA evaluation framework in the Integrated Health Information Systems in public hospitals in Cyprus (Preprint)
Authors: Stylianides Antonis , Mantas Jonh , Roupa Zoe , Yamasaki Edna 
Published: February 2019

BACKGROUND

Ministry of Health of Cyprus has implemented Integrated Health Information Systems (IHIS) in two hospitals in Cyprus. Effective use of IHIS could increase the effectiveness and quality of healthcare services. The absence of any evaluation of the existing IHIS prevents a detailed assessment of its safety, efficiency and effectiveness.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to implement DIPSA evaluation framework which assessed the safety, quality of the system, collaborative interprofessional work, user satisfaction and the processes and procedures in place of the current IHIS in public hospitals in Cyprus.

METHODS

This project was conducted in 2017 in Cyprus. Doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals, in total 309 subjects participated in the study. For the selection of the sample, a stratified random sampling was used based on the profession and the hospital of each participant. DIPSA evaluation framework was implemented and inferential statistics were used. Correlations were performed between the categories in the framework with the Pearson correlation method. Comparison of means (with independent samples T-test and One-way Anova) were also done between demographic characteristics and categories, the tests that were found with P -value ≤ 2 were then used in multiple regression analysis. Data analysis was done using SPSS v24.

RESULTS

Categories Satisfaction, Collaboration, System quality, Safety, Procedures were all rated moderately between 2.5 and 2.9. Every correlation between the categories was statistically significant with P < 0.01, but the highest Pearson correlation = 0.692 was found to be between System Quality and Satisfaction. Comparison of means between demographic characteristics and categories were performed and used in multiple regression analysis, which indicated where exactly the IHIS lacks. In addition, the open questions pointed out the 5 most common problems/needs that healthcare professionals encounter in their jobs (training, system upgrade, keep a log of data/procedures, collaboration and access).

CONCLUSIONS

DIPSA evaluation framework was implemented, which showed that some interventions could positively affect simultaneously one or more categories. For example, the most important need of intervention was the training of healthcare professionals, that was found that it could be affecting positively multiple categories (Satisfaction, Collaboration, Safety and Procedures). Other interventions that could affect IHIS in a positive way could be, that technical support that should be provided at all times, to upgrade the hardware where needed. To schedule daily collaboration of healthcare professionals with programmers, in order to cover their needs, by upgrading the software. To install “smart devices” within the different departments of the hospitals in order to support each other. There are also many other suggestions can help improve the healthcare services provided.