Public Health ; methods ; Systems Analysis

Epidemiologic Methods ; Meta-Analysis as Topic ; Systems Analysis

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the qualitative and quantitative performances of the newly developed information system which was implemented on November 4, 2011 at the National Health Insurance Corporation Ilsan Hospital. METHODS: Registration waiting time and changes in the satisfaction scores for the key performance indicators (KPI) before and after the introduction of the system were compared; and the economic effects of the system were analyzed by using the information economics approach. RESULTS: After the introduction of the system, the waiting time for registration was reduced by 20%, and the waiting time at the internal medicine department was reduced by 15%. The benefit-to-cost ratio was increased to 1.34 when all intangible benefits were included in the economic analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The economic impact and target satisfaction rates increased due to the introduction of the new system. The results were proven by the quantitative and qualitative analyses carried out in this study. This study was conducted only seven months after the introduction of the system. As such, a follow-up study should be carried out in the future when the system stabilizes.
Computer Systems ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Hospital Information Systems ; Information Systems ; Internal Medicine ; National Health Programs ; Personal Satisfaction

OBJECTIVES: This study presents the information system for Pusan National University Hospital (PNUH), evaluates its performance qualitatively, and conducts economic analysis. METHODS: Information system for PNUH was designed by component-based development and developed by internet technologies. Order Communication System, Electronic Medical Record, and Clinical Decision Support System were newly developed. The performance of the hospital information system was qualitatively evaluated based on the performance reference model in order to identify problem areas for the old system. The Information Economics approach was used to analyze the economic feasibility of hospital information system in order to account for the intangible benefits. RESULTS: Average performance scores were 3.16 for input layer, 3.35 for process layer, and 3.57 for business layer. In addition, the cumulative benefit to cost ratio was 0.50 in 2011, 1.73 in 2012, 1.76 in 2013, 1.71 in 2014, and 1.71 in 2015. The B/C ratios steadily increase as value items are added. CONCLUSIONS: While overall performance scores were reasonably high, doctors were less satisfied with the system, perhaps due to the weak clinical function in the systems. The information economics analysis demonstrated the economic profitability of the information systems if all intangible benefits were included. The second qualitative evaluation survey and economic analysis were proposed to evaluate the changes in performance of the new system.
Commerce ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Electronic Health Records ; Evaluation Studies as Topic ; Hospital Information Systems ; Information Systems ; Internet

This paper introduces a pathological information network and image analysis system designed by ourselves. The system offers an efficient means for modern medical diagnosis and treatment, teaching, research and management in the department of pathology.
Diagnostic Imaging ; Information Services ; Pathology, Clinical ; methods ; Radiology Information Systems ; Software Design ; Systems Analysis

The study aims to investigate the effect of the ratio of long axis to short axis (RLS) of upright polypropylene infusion bag on discharging process and to search the best RLS. Aiming at five different RLS (1. 5 : 1, 2 : 1, 3 : 1, 4 : 1 and 5 : 1, respectively) with the volume of 100 mL, 250 mL and 500 mL, respectively, based on finite element method, analyzing the variation of stress distribution, emptying rate, drugging space and steadiness coefficient, etc. For the bags of the same volume, emptying rate increased with increasing of RLS, but the steadiness coefficient decreased with increasing of RLS. The specific increasing amplitude of emptying rate and decreasing range of steadiness coefficient were as follows: 20% and 49% for 100 mL infusion bag, 9% and 51% for 250 mL infusion bag, and 11% and 46% for 500 mL infusion bag, respectibvely, when RLS increased from 1. 5 : 1 to 5 : 1. Comparatively speaking, the increasing amplitude of the emptying rate is remarkably less than the decreasing range of the steadiness coefficient. By comprehensive consideration of both emptying rate and steadiness coefficient, lower RLS is recommended for upright polypropylene infusion bag.
Drug Delivery Systems ; instrumentation ; Finite Element Analysis ; Polypropylenes

Hospitals have been very susceptable to changes in external environment. Accordingly, they have been experiencing great financial difficulty due to low insurance rates and increasing competition. As a remedy, hospitals have attempted to use computer in a strategic manner. Such system is called strategic information system (SIS) , and order communication system (OCS) is an example of SIS in hospital setting. While OCS has known to be effective in reducing waiting time for outpatients, many hospitals are reluctant to introduce this system mainly because there are no real data or methods for justifying the cost of the system. Cost-benefit analysis has been traditionally used for such purpose, but this method deals with limited portion of benefits and therefore not very useful for analyzing the economic feasibility of SIS. In this paper, information economics tools which expand cost with value was used to analyze the economic feasibility of OCS. To assist the analysis, financial simulation model was developed using simulation package, called IFPS (Interactive Financial Planning System).
Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Humans ; Information Systems ; Insurance ; Outpatients

That the multicast technology is fit for telemedical consultation application has been developed on the basis of the features analysis of medical consultation action. A scheme of the telemedical consultation application based on the multicast technology has been designed. The features of this scheme are: unrestrained joining in and quitting, simultaneous control over the transport information of doctor and patient, extending, and simulating consultation scene. And the implementation of this scheme is discussed.
Computer Communication Networks ; Remote Consultation ; methods ; Software ; Systems Analysis

As one of the standard electrophysiological signals in the human body, the photoplethysmography contains detailed information about the blood microcirculation and has been commonly used in various medical scenarios, where the accurate detection of the pulse waveform and quantification of its morphological characteristics are essential steps. In this paper, a modular pulse wave preprocessing and analysis system is developed based on the principles of design patterns. The system designs each part of the preprocessing and analysis process as independent functional modules to be compatible and reusable. In addition, the detection process of the pulse waveform is improved, and a new waveform detection algorithm composed of screening-checking-deciding is proposed. It is verified that the algorithm has a practical design for each module, high accuracy of waveform recognition and high anti-interference capability. The modular pulse wave preprocessing and analysis software system developed in this paper can meet the individual preprocessing requirements for various pulse wave application studies under different platforms. The proposed novel algorithm with high accuracy also provides a new idea for the pulse wave analysis process.
Humans ; Systems Analysis ; Algorithms ; Software ; Heart Rate ; Microcirculation

OBJECTIVEThis paper is to assess the current status of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) contamination in the environment in China and estimate the exposure to PBDEs in non-occupational populations.

METHODSA total of 80 research papers published from January 2001 to October 2013 were selected. Geographic information system (GIS) was used in mapping PBDE concentrations and distributions in environmental media. Ni's model was applied to calculate ∑PBDE-intake via the intakes of contaminated food, water and air in the Pearl River Delta and Yangtze River Delta.

RESULTSBDE-209 was found to be the major PBDE congener in the environmental media and food in China. PBDE concentrations varied among different areas, among which the contamination in Guangdong Province was most serious. Daily intake of ∑PBDEs was 225.1-446.0 ng/d for adults in the Pearl River Delta, which was higher than the intake for those living in the Yangtze River Delta (148.9-369.8 ng/d).

CONCLUSIONAtorvastatin can attenuate LPS-induced TNF-α expression and production by activating HO-1 via the ERK and p38 MAPK pathways, suggesting that atorvastatin can be used in treatment of inflammatory diseases such as sepsis, especially in those with atherosclerotic diseases.

China ; Diet ; Environmental Pollutants ; analysis ; Food Contamination ; analysis ; Geographic Information Systems ; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers ; analysis ; Humans ; Inhalation Exposure ; analysis