Summary
Objectives: A Clinical Information System, serving more than 2,000 users was to be implemented
at three hospitals of TILAK (Tiroler Landeskrankenanstalten GmbH), including the University
Hospital of Innsbruck. The system was intended to integrate data from radiology, laboratory,
and pathology subsystems with patient data.
Methods: Using Cerner Millennium™ software and Health Level 7 standards, the first stage of
an Electronic Patient Record (EPR) was built. Direct data entry was facilitated using
either a Microsoft Word text processor (with subsequent authentication workflow) or
structured forms. An enterprise-wide scheduling module allows coordination and storage
of patient appointments directly in the EPR. As required by security policy, the Cerner
software regulates the varying degrees of information exchange among organizations
and departments within the enterprise.
Results: First experiences indicate satisfactory acceptance of system functionalities. The
introduction of Cerner Millennium at TILAK has achieved essential goals defined at
the beginning of the project. Basic functionalities – free text documentation, standardized
documentation, scheduling, and some parts of order entry – are offered in a user friendly
manner. Integration with existing systems to complete the EPR has been successful
using standard interfaces (HL7).
Conclusion: TILAK concluded that it was possible to successfully implement a Clinical Information
System (CIS) developed mainly for the American market in a European healthcare environment.
Some adaptations and functional extensions were necessary (e.g., the discharge summary
“Arztbrief”). The system had enough flexibility to meet the requirements and specifications
of European healthcare processes. A key factor of success was the establishment of
a basic level of understanding and communication between the software vendor and the
TILAK user community.
Keywords
Hospital information systems - clinical information systems - implementation strategy
- case studies - electronic patient record
