Pros and Cons of Clinical Pathway Software Management: A Qualitative Study.

In this study we aimed to assess the perceived effectiveness of clinical pathway management software for healthcare professionals. A case study on the clinical pathway management software program Check-It was performed in three departments at an academic medical center. Four months after the implementation of the software, interviews were held with healthcare professionals who work with the system. The interview questions were posed in a semi-structured interview format and the participant were asked about the perceived positive or negative effects of Check-It, and whether they thought the software is effective for them. The interviews were recorded and transcribed based on grounded theory, using different coding techniques. Our results showed fewer overlooked tasks, pre-filled orders and letters, better overview, and increased protocol insight as positive aspects of using the software. Being not flexible enough was experienced as a negative aspect.

PACS in practice: the status of the PACS project at the St. Radboud University Hospital. Part B. A digital image archive: information analysis and development.

In accordance with the bottom-up approach in the field of the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), a pilot study was performed with regard to the archiving of digital diagnostic images. A prototype has been developed to determine what information has to be stored in the digital archive and what requirements the users have in accessing these data. Firstly an organization analysis of the department of diagnostic radiology with respect to the archiving of images was performed. A variant of the ISAC method was used for this purpose. This resulted in a set of activity diagrams. Thereafter an information analysis was performed according to the Nijssen Informal Analysis Method (NIAM). This resulted in a Conceptual Schema (CS). Two other prototypes of relational Image Database Management Systems (IDBMS) are described and a description of a general modular structure of an IDBMS is given. By means of a Prototype of a Digital Archive (PDA) the department of diagnostic radiology was shown what might be expected from a digital archive and how the information will be presented to the users.