Evaluating the Software Programs in Hospital Information System: A Case Study of Sari Bou-Ali Sina Hospital

Background and Health organizations play a major role in improving the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of health services, if they have appropriate structures for systematic evaluation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the software systems of the hospital information system (HIS) in Sari Bou-Ali Sina Hospital.
A descriptive-case study was done on the HIS provided by Pooya Samaneh Diva Co. Data was collected using observations and interviewing the head of IT department. Data analysis was done using the evaluation indicators of HIS proposed by Iran Ministry of Health.
The HIS in Sari Bou-Ali Sina Hospital consists of 6 software programs and 42 subsystems. The software for administrative and financial subsystems had more subgroups while the central subsystem had the least number of subgroups. Reporting was not available in management and central subsystems. The subsystems for management of information did not have any quantitative or qualitative upgrades according to the needs.
The reasons for not paying attention to upgrading the software capabilities are as follows: not involving the users in designing the software, inadequate training and user awareness of expected performances and capabilities, delays in financing, failure to notify the company about the latest instructions and notifications of the Health Ministry and delays in implementation of the instructions in the software, and multiplicity of software programs alongside the current HIS.