[Reducing waiting time in emergency department at Ayatollah-Kashani hospital using simulation]

Introduction: In Emergency Departments [ED], seconds and minutes are vital for the patients. Therefore, a logical decision making is crucial to manage the patients' waiting time. Simulation, a decision supporting technique, is used to analyze risk factors and strategies in decision making. The purpose of this research was to apply this method to reduce patients' waiting time in the ED at Ayatollah-Kashani Hospital

Methods: The population of this applied- analytical study included the patients referred to the ED at Ayatollah-Kashani Hospital in Isfahan during May 2008. Having recognized the patients' workflow, the researchers gathered the required data concerning the time of patients' arrival and service delivery at various stations for 663 patients during 2 weeks. The data were used to design a simulation model for the ED using simul8 software. The validity of the model was verified through comparing the results obtained from the manual system with those from the simulation model which led to the formation of the finalized model

Results: The results showed an increase in the waiting time when implementing alternatives 2, 9, 10 and 12 while a decrease was observed in other alternatives. In alternatives 6 and 13-17, the total waiting time decreased more than the other alternatives. The most amount of reduction was observed in alternative 15, so much so that the waiting time of receiving emergency services reduced from 112.19 to 99.24 minutes. This could be due to the placement of an intern student at Eye- Nose-Throat [ENT], Neurology, and Orthopedic stations which caused reduction in the waiting time from 38.89, 13.31 and 12.13 to 26.54, 6.58 and 5.98 minutes, respectively

Conclusion: Since health care managers, especially in the ED, are mostly physicians not experienced enough in statistical analysis, it is essential to provide them instruments with which they can readily achieve scientific approaches to reduce costs and patients' waiting time. Applying various research methods such as simulation can satisfy these goals

[ comparative study of two methods of holding 'research seminar' course in the master program of medical records education]

Introduction: One of the important elements in education is monitoring and evaluation of the courses to ensure that their contents are based on the real present and future needs of students. This study aimed to compare Old and New Methods of holding "Research Seminar" in the master program of medical records education. The results can determine the type of corrective actions required

Methods: The population of this applied/educational study included students studying in "Medical Records Education" in both the first and the third periods of the Faculty of Medical Management and Information Sciences in Isfahan during 2009-2010. The data were gathered by means of forms and tables [the validity of which was approved by seeking the related expert opinions] as well as through brain storming in several sessions during six months of intervention. Data analysis was done based on ranking of content and teaching methods [before and after the intervention] and using the Expert Choice software and Analytical Hierarchy Process technique

Results: According to the findings the New Method ranked higher compared with the Old Method with respect to both knowledge production and application for the students

Conclusion: Training should be changed according to learner needs. As in today's living conditions, community needs are constantly changing; it is recommended that universities and other educational centers regularly improve the content of their teaching courses

[comparative study on the features of Iran health population information management system with the United Nations standards]

Inclusive, sufficient, precise and up to date information is necessary for planning in a health information system. Health Population Information Management System [HPIMS] is a system that collects, stores, retrieves, analyzes, interprets, and distributes health population information for prevention and treatment. The aim of this study was first; to compare Health Population Information Management System in health ministry, Iran statistics center, vital registry organization and United Nations, second, to propose a suitable model for Iran. This study was conducted to compare the features of Iran Health Population Information Management System with the United Nations standards. This was an applied cross-sectional study. The population included Iran Health Population Information Management Systems. The instruments of the study were a questionnaire and a cheek list. The data were collected through observation and an interview. The sources of information consisted of the staff, scientific documentation and the Internet. Criteria Rating Technique and descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. The findings showed an absence of timely, relevant, comprehensive and sufficient reporting in data registration system in Iran. Moreover, the organizations in charge of HPIMS had parallel functions which would lead to contradictory reports. Health Population Information, published by the Ministry of Health differed from that of Iran Statistics Center and other data registry organizations. Overall, HPIMS in the Ministry of Health was ranked as "very good" while the other organizations were ranked as "good". The findings suggest that the information systems can only influence decisions if they are relevant, trustworthy and available for decision makers. However, information systems in Iran are inadequate to satisfy the needs of management. Therefore, it seems necessary to reform and design a suitable model representing accountability of organizations in regard to their duties and workflow. It is also suggested to decrease parallel functions and resources through a sharing system

[Requirements and areas associated with readiness assessment of electronic health records implementation]

With huge advances in information technology, in general, and health care services in particular during the past 20 years, various forms of electronic records have been introduced, designed or implemented. This study aimed to review the status of readiness assessment in the implementation process of electronic records with a detailed focus on required and associated areas and to provide a guideline for Electronic Health Records [EHR] directors and executers. Although making health records automatically has many advantages, in some cases, the creation of an electronic health records system seems a complicated task. Electronic health readiness assessment, performed prior to implementation, is considered as an essential process. Readiness assessment is a method used for assessing various aspects of an organization and evaluating the preparedness of each component in the organization. The benefits gained from assessment leads to correct decision making. The outcome can be used to identify deficiencies in the existing electronic health records and to provide solutions. Thus identifying factors and requirements of this assessment seems to be essential

[ comparative survey on mortality information management systems [MIMS] in England, United States of America and NewZealand and proposing a suitable MIMS model for Iran]

Background: Comprehensive, enough, accurate and up to date information is necessary for Planning

Objective: In this study, it was tried to do comparative survey on MIMS in USA, England and New Zealand and to determine differences and similarities of characteristics and proposing a suitable model for Iran

Methods: This is a descriptive-analytic cross-sectional study. The population of this study included MIMS in USA, England, New Zealand and Iran. The instrument for data collection was check list

Findings: MIMS in USA, England and New Zealand is decentralized. The sectors responsible for MIMS in USA and New Zealand are ministry of Registration and Health, and in England is Office of National Statistics

Conclusion: Findings caused that the researchers propose health ministry and vital registry organization as direct responsible for mortality information management system