[Steps to successful implementation of electronic health records]

Electronic health records are the foundation of electronic health services and achieving the benefits of electronic health requires the successful implementation of electronic health records in healthcare organizations. A practice guide for the implementation of electronic health records [EHR] is necessary. Introducing an approach to prevent the failures in implementation is the aim of this article. Project planning, defining the electronic health record throughout organization, setting appropriate expectations, choosing the proper technology and technology partner, accepting and promoting process changes and carefully planning the transition from paper-based processes to the electronic ones, ongoing evaluation and maintenance are the steps that organizations should consider for successful implementation of EHR

[Organizational structure of the health information management departments in hospitals: a new model for Iran]

To provide a new, appropriate model for organizational structure of the medical records departments [MRDs] and information functions in hospitals in Iran. This was a Two-Phase study: the first phase was a situational analysis of the current organizational structure model of MRDs in Iranian hospitals. In the second phase, through a comparative study of three developed countries, the US, England and Australia, a suggested model was developed and its validity was evaluated using the Delphi technique by means of a valid and reliable questionnaire. The first phase showed that the current organizational structure of Iranian MRDs is not appropriate for the efficient management of health care information. In addition, there were no appropriate structures to provide comprehensive information management services. The findings of the Delphi technique showed that most of the experts believed that the restructuring MRDs was necessary and that the majority were agreed the model purposed and considered it to be appropriate and applicable for Iranian hospitals. The restructuring MRDs in Iranian hospitals are necessary and the approved model can improve the health information management processes in Iranian hospitals. Indeed, the implementation of the model is strongly recommended

[Consumer's satisfaction with admission services in teaching hospitals affiliated to Kashan University of Medical Sciences 2006]

Patients' satisfaction indicates the accurate care providing, and is considered as an important indicators of health care quality. Patients' satisfaction with admission services is quite important. This study aimed at determining the level of consumers' satisfaction with admission services and its related determinants in teaching hospitals affiliated to Kashan University of Medical Sciences. In this descriptive-analytic study, 384 patients or their relatives were interviewed using a questionnaire. Data analysis was done through descriptive and analytic statistics such as: percent, means, SD, t-test, X2 and ANOVA test. Totally 46.2% the consumers' perceived services of admission unit good. They were completely satisfied with the waiting time [8.03A1.43 points of 10], and with the staff behavior [15.78A2.9 points of 20]. They were also satisfied with the staffs' responses to their questions [14.6A2.7 points of 20], and with equity in admission turn [4.41A1.6 points of 10]. Satisfaction was significantly related to patients' job, length of stay and sex. Also patients' satisfaction with staffs' responses was significantly less than from that of their relatives [p<0.05]. Generally, patients or their relatives were satisfied with admission services. Of course, the admission staffs could response better to satisfying their questions, especially on consent forms, pay more attention to females, and old patients as all theses will lead to more the patients' satisfaction