Hospitals Using Clinical Information Technologies Have Better Outcomes

There is always a lot of debate about whether clinical information technologies really improve patient outcomes, or if they just systematize errors. 

In the first study of its kind, researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Johns Hopkins University conducted a cross-sectional study of urban hospitals in Texas, measuring the hospitals' level of automation and its association with inpatient mortality, complications, costs and length of stay.

Based on 41 of 72 hospitals responding (58%) to requests to complete a clinical information technology assessment tool, the study found that a 10-point increase in the automation of notes and records was associated with a 15% decrease in the adjusted odds of fatal hospitalizations.  Higher scores in order entry were associated with 9% decrease in the adjusted odds of death for myocardial infarction and a 55% decrease in the adjusted odds of death for coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Higher scores for decision support were associated with a 16% decrease in the adjusted odds of complications for all causes of hospitalization.  In addition, higher scores on test results, order entry and decision support were associated with reduced costs for all hospital admissions.

While the study does not take into account the return on investment to hospitals of putting the clinical information technologies in place, such as the costs of installation, it does suggests that once they are in place, the benefits can accrue to both the patients and the institution.