Evaluating the success of an emergency response medical information system

Int J Med Inform. 2011 Jul;80(7):480-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2011.03.010. Epub 2011 Apr 17.

Abstract

Objective: STATPack™ is an information system used to aid in the diagnosis of pathogens in hospitals and state public health laboratories. STATPack™ is used as a communication and telemedicine diagnosis tool during emergencies. This paper explores the success of this emergency response medical information system (ERMIS) using a well-known framework of information systems success developed by DeLone and McLean.

Method: Using an online survey, the entire population of STATPack™ users evaluated the success of the information system by considering system quality, information quality, system use, intention to use, user satisfaction, individual impact, and organizational impact.

Results: The results indicate that the overall quality of this ERMIS (i.e., system quality, information quality, and service quality) has a positive impact on both user satisfaction and intention to use the system. However, given the nature of ERMIS, overall quality does not necessarily predict use of the system. Moreover, the user's satisfaction with the information system positively affected the intention to use the system. User satisfaction, intention to use, and system use had a positive influence on the system's impact on the individual. Finally, the organizational impacts of the system were positively influenced by use of the system and the system's individual impact on the user.

Conclusions: The results of the study demonstrate how to evaluate the success of an ERMIS as well as introduce potential changes in how one applies the DeLone and McLean success model in an emergency response medical information system context.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Laboratory Information Systems / standards*
  • Emergencies*
  • Hospital Information Systems / standards*
  • Public Health*
  • United States