Healthc Inform Res.  2016 Jul;22(3):231-237. 10.4258/hir.2016.22.3.231.

Pharmacy Information Systems in Teaching Hospitals: A Multi-dimensional Evaluation Study

• Kazemi A
• Rabiei R
• Moghaddasi H
• Deimazar G

• KMID: 2357401
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4258/hir.2016.22.3.231

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
In hospitals, the pharmacy information system (PIS) is usually a sub-system of the hospital information system (HIS). The PIS supports the distribution and management of drugs, shows drug and medical device inventory, and facilitates preparing needed reports. In this study, pharmacy information systems implemented in general teaching hospitals affiliated to medical universities in Tehran (Iran) were evaluated using a multi-dimensional tool.
METHODS
This was an evaluation study conducted in 2015. To collect data, a checklist was developed by reviewing the relevant literature; this checklist included both general and specific criteria to evaluate pharmacy information systems. The checklist was then validated by medical informatics experts and pharmacists. The sample of the study included five PIS in general-teaching hospitals affiliated to three medical universities in Tehran (Iran). Data were collected using the checklist and through observing the systems. The findings were presented as tables.
RESULTS
Five PIS were evaluated in the five general-teaching hospitals that had the highest bed numbers. The findings showed that the evaluated pharmacy information systems lacked some important general and specific criteria. Among the general evaluation criteria, it was found that only two of the PIS studied were capable of restricting repeated attempts made for unauthorized access to the systems. With respect to the specific evaluation criteria, no attention was paid to the patient safety aspect.
CONCLUSIONS
The PIS studied were mainly designed to support financial tasks; little attention was paid to clinical and patient safety features.

Keyword

Clinical Pharmacy Information Systems; Evaluation Studies; Medical Informatics; Hospital Information System; Drug Information Services

MeSH Terms

Checklist
Clinical Pharmacy Information Systems
Drug Information Services
Hospital Information Systems
Hospitals, Teaching*
Humans
Information Systems*
Medical Informatics
Patient Safety
Pharmacists
Pharmacy*