assessment of picture archiving and communication system based on canadian infoway PACS opinion survey in teaching hospitals of Shiraz university of medical sciences

Introduction: Today the use of information technology in accordance with the rapid environmental changes and flexibility acquisition is necessary and unavoidable. Picture Archiving and Communication System [PACS] is one of the medical information technology used in health facilities. PACS provides the images archive and transmission possibility electronically in different units of the teaching and treatment centers. This study aimed to assess the PACS system in teaching hospitals of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences based on a survey of Canadian Infoway

Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 53 individuals selected through Two-Stage Stratified Random Sampling. The study population consisted of 156 PACS users in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences hospitals which were equipped with the PACS system in 2015. Data were collected by the valid and reliable customized questionnaire of Canadian Infoway. The reliability was measured by a pilot study on 25 PACS users; Cronbach's Alpha was estimated 0.78. Data were analyzed using SPSS 18. Also, frequency, mean, standard deviation were used

Results: The results are presented in three sections: environment [Background Variables], benefits and challenges of PACS. As to the system availability, 20.8% of the users in the clinic, 75.5% in the diagnostic imaging department, only 3.8% in offices had access to the PACS. As to system accessibility, 49.1% of the users just had access to tests, 5.7% only to the reports, and 45.3% to both reports and tests. With respect to benefits of PACS, the mean was 4.16 [SD: 0.5] [five-point scale 1-5] estimated, and in challenges, the mean was 3.48[SD: 0.5] [five-point scale 1-5]

Conclusion: The results showed that although PACS could eliminate many restrictions concerning the use of radiology images and films, there were challenges in this regard. Users are recommended to have access to PACS in all clinics, physicians' offices, and diagnostic imaging department. The majority of users agreed with the PACS benefits. Adequate management measures must be taken to maximize the benefits derived from this system and the utilization of information in order to improve the quality of care. Adequate training and elimination of the deficiencies could affect the use of this system and improvement in the health care services

comparison of maternal and child health indicators before and after the family physician program in Shiraz, from 2001 to 2012

Background: One of the aims of the family physician program [FPP] is to improve the maternal and child health indicators. This study aimed to comparison maternal and child health indicators in Shiraz rural areas before and after implementation of FPP during 2001 to 2012

Methods: This applicable study was conducted in Shiraz in the south west of Iran in 2014. The child and maternal health indicators before [2001 to 2005] and after FPP [from 2006 to 2012] were gathered from the Health Center [Enghelab and Shohadaye Valfajr]. The instrument for data collection was a questionnaire consisted of 20 maternal and child health indicators. Descriptive statistics was used and for analyzing the data, Excel and Stata software and comparisons of rates and joint point regression tests were employed

Results: the results showed that The FPP lead to decrease in stillbirth, infant mortality and child under one-year mortality in the rural area. Also all the vital horoscope indicator [mortality under one month, mortality under one year, the frequency of the infants under one year, the percentage of stillbirths, crude death percentage, crude birth percentage, general fertility percentage, total fertility percentage] have improved after FPP in Health Center rather than Enghelab Health Center

Conclusion: the maternal and child health indicators had improvement after FPP implementation. Therefore, it is recommended to continue the program

Evaluation of the users' continuous intention to use PACS Based on the expectation confirmation model in teaching hospitals of Shiraz University of medical sciences

Introduction: Users' behavioral intention to use the Picture Archiving and Communication System [PACS] is important in the systems' success and is an indicator of the users' satisfaction with commitment and dependence on information systems. The present study aimed to evaluate the users' continuous intention to use PACS based on the expectation confirmation model in educational hospitals of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Nemazee and Shahid Faghihi hospitals, Shiraz, Iran in 2014. The subjects were 50 general practitioners, residents and specialists selected through stratified random sampling. The study data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire. The content validity of the questionnaire items was confirmed by five experts in health information management. To evaluate the accuracy of relationships among the measurement models, reliability criteria, including Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability, convergent and divergent validity were used which showed acceptable reliability and validity. The data were entered into Smart PLS software, version 3.1.9 and analyzed through Structural Equation Modeling [SEM] by using Partial Least Squares [PLS] approach

Results: The results showed appropriate fitness of reliability indices [Cronbach's alpha >0.7, composite reliability >0.7, loading >0.7], validity indices [AVE >0.5], structural model [redundancy =0.395, Q2CI=0.364, f2H5=0.524, R2CI=0.687], and the total model [GoF=0.518]. Moreover, all the research hypotheses, except H1 [the relationship between expectation confirmation and perceived usefulness] with T-value of <1.96, showed a significant relationship [T-value >1.96]

Conclusion: Expectation confirmation, perceived usefulness, and satisfaction were effective in continuous intention to use PACS. Thus, these factors should be considered by designers, developers, and managers while designing and implementing information systems to guarantee their success and improve the quality of health services

Readiness of hospitals affiliated with Shiraz university of medical sciences for implementation of radio frequency identification technology

Introduction: Applying information technology in healthcare system is one of the most important criteria of the World Health Organization for evaluating the quality of healthcare systems of different countries. Moreover, applying this technology in different parts of health care system can create great potentials for improving the quality of healthcare services. In this regard, Radio Frequency Identification [RFID] technology is one of the most practical technologies in identifying and collecting data. The present study aimed to compare the readiness of Shiraz University of medical sciences hospitals for implementation of RFID system in 2014

Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in 2014. The research population consisted of 110 senior and middle managers. Due to the limited research population, census method was used. The research tool was a questionnaire prepared by the researcher to investigate the hospitals' readiness for implementation of RFID technology. Face and content validity of the questionnaire were approved by the experts. Cronbach's alpha test was run to determine the reliability of the questionnaire [data were considered significant at p <0.05]. Also, the data were analyzed in SPSS software using descriptive statistics [mean, standard deviation, and percentage] and inferential statistics [one-way ANOVA]

Results: The study showed that the readiness level of the hospitals was moderate. Comparing the mean of the total readiness level in the hospitals under the study revealed that there was a statistically significant difference between hospital M and other hospitals [P=0.003]. However, the total readiness of hospital I was higher than others

Conclusion: Among 13 hospitals under the study, the hospitals I and A were moderately ready and others were not ready for implementation of RFID technology. Thus, considering various applications and advantages of RFID technology, it is suggested that the hospitals should prepare the budget, improve the technical and communicative infrastructures, and also plan to implement this technology

Usability evaluation of Ulite web-based picture archiving and communication systems software in Shiraz university of medical science hospitals

Introduction: Health information systems have the potential of improving the quality of healthcare and treatment procedures and supporting the physicians in their clinical diagnoses. Nowadays, evaluating the usability is widely accepted as a crucial factor in the acceptance and success of the interactive healthcare systems. The present study aimed to evaluate the usability of Ulite Software based on the ISO 9241 model

Method: This analytical-empirical study was performed in 2014. The target population consisted of 50 Utile Software users. The data were collected through a valid and reliable questionnaire containing questions from 10 valid and reliable questionnaires on the related field. The content validity of the questionnaire was evaluated and confirmed by the scholars and experts in Picture Archiving and Communication Systems [PACS] and the reliability was estimated through statistical procedures using Chronbach's alpha Test [alpha=0.958]. Data were analyzed in SPSS 20 using descriptive statistics and Smart-PLS version 3, using Structural Equation Method and Partial Least Square Approach

Results: The obtained results of the simultaneous analysis of all constructs regarding ISO 9241 model indicated a positive effect of "effectiveness" [P-value= 0.05] and "satisfaction" [P-value= 0.00] on the usability of web-based PACS, while the effect of "efficiency" [P-value= 0.68] was not confirmed

Conclusion: Usability evaluation of Ulite software in the demo version was performed based on the ISO 9241 model. Based on the results, it seems that this software has the necessary effectiveness and user satisfaction has been somewhat successful, but since the evaluation in the demo version aimed to purchase the system and eliminate initial problems, we should focus on the deficiencies that decrease the efficiency of the system

Evaluation of the implementation of the knowledge management processes in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences teaching hospitals, 2014

Introduction: Recognition and implementation of knowledge management have an important effect on improving the quality of hospital activities. According to the direct relationship with the society's health, health and treatment departments need knowledgeable and skillful staff. Thus, this research investigated different dimensions of the knowledge management processes in teaching hospitals of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in 2014

Method: This cross-sectional analytical study was performed on 103 top and middle-ranked managers of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences hospitals. The instrument was a valid and reliable questionnaire containing six knowledge management dimensions. Data were analyzed in SPSS software version 16, using the one-sample t-test and ANOVA

Results: The results of the study showed that among the processes of knowledge management dimensions, acquisition and knowledge creation[mean=3.2] and strategy and policy of knowledge [mean=3.13] had the highest ranks and assessment and feedback of knowledge [mean=2.86] and knowledge sharing [mean=2.61] were at the lowest levels. The comparison between these six dimensions demonstrated that there were significant relationships among strategy and policy of knowledge and acquisition and knowledge creation [p=0.047],strategy and policy of knowledge and organizing and documenting of knowledge [p=0.206], organizing and documenting of knowledge and knowledge sharing [p=0.259], organizing and documenting of knowledge and use and reuse of knowledge [p=0.325], use and reuse of knowledge, and knowledge sharing [p=0.100]

Conclusion: According to the results, the conditions of strategy and policy of knowledge and acquisition and knowledge creation dimensions are at the average level and other dimensions of knowledge management processes are poor in teaching hospitals of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Considering the importance of knowledge management in improving the performance of the hospitals and achieving the organizational goals, applying all dimensions of knowledge management especially knowledge sharing and assessment and feedback of knowledge is vital