Information System Briefing
Sonya Harmon
HCS 483
01/16/2012

Information System Briefing
Many Health Care Organizations are relying on information technology and has given the organization a competitive advantage. A lot of time and resources goes into the selection and acquisition process of a health information system that is right for a health care organization. Selecting and acquiring a health information system can be a way to improve the health care organization even though the process can be a tedious and difficult task.
Selection and Acquisition Process The first step in selecting and acquiring an information system for a health organization is to gather as much information as possible and create a committee, the selection process consists of evaluating cost, how it benefits the organization, and getting adequate input from other senior leaders involved in the process. There are several decisions that have to be made in the selection process such as who will be in charge of the selection process, what practice will be used to select the health information system, and who will be a part of the process. The decision has to be made about the health information system products that are on the market, and finding a credible vendor that can complete the process. The acquisition process also involves careful planning, selecting, implementing, and evaluating. This process is known as systems development life cycle, each phase in this process has several functions that need to be completed. The steps in the system acquisition process include establishing a committee for the project and choose a person that will be in charge of the project, provide detailed project objectives, evaluate the market for information systems and examine profiles for vendors, define goals for the system.
The committee must also create and administer a request for proposal, look into more option for acquiring information systems such as application service provider, or contract with system developer or in-house. Examine proposals from vendors, administer a cost-benefit analysis; complete a summary report and give recommendations, and negotiate contracts. The goals that drive the organization are make sure that the practice can provide service with evidence of basic care, help the practice with monitoring the quality and cost of the care that is provided to the patient, give the clinicians access to detailed, complete, and appropriate information for the patient on site, and off-site, and improve the staffs’ effectiveness. These goals must also line up with the other goals of the organization. Other goals are the system processes that needs to be achieved, expectations of the user, and what the system can deliver. The requirement should be how the system inputs information, information that the system processes, and what is expected from the system.
Stakeholders’ Role
The stakeholder’s role is very important to the acquisition process; they must be knowledgeable about information systems technology, so they will know what going on in the organization. The role of the stakeholder includes choosing the right system, setting and completing goals. These roles consist of providing direction in reference to improvement of quality, maximizing impact and expanding programs, ensuring that the stakeholder interest in the process are recognized and included. Give their input when a health care program is implemented and coming up with practices and policy settings. Identify options and recommend solutions, provide input and important research information focusing on information needs and product types that are most useful for consumers, clinicians and policy makers. Stakeholders’ should also advocate objectivity, accountability, and transparency.
Conclusion

There are many steps in the selection and acquisition process and can be a difficult task but as long as the right committee is in place in can be successful and the right person to lead the project. The systems development life cycle involves planning, selection, implementation, and support of the new information system for health care these phases. Training is also very important in this process to make sure that the information system is properly used. The goals of the organization drive the selection of the information system and the stakeholder’s role is very important in the selection and acquisition process.

References

Effective Health Care Program, About the Stakeholders Group (2012), retrieved 17 Jan.
2012, from:http://www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/index.cfm/who-is-involved-in-the-effective-health-care-program1/about-the-stakeholder-group/
Wager K. A., Wickham Lee F., Glaser J.P., Burns L.R. (2009), Health Care Information Systems. A Practical Approach for Health Care Management, Second Edition