Key Performance Indicators of Benchmarking in Hospital Information Systems

Monitoring hospital information systems requires developing key indicators and criteria for efficiency and effectiveness, and consequently fulfillment of organizational objectives, including safety and quality. The purpose of this study was benchmarking of key indicators of hospital information systems.

This research was based on qualitative methodology with two phases. It was carried out in Ahwaz City, Iran, during the years 2015 and 2016. In the first phase, we conducted purposeful sampling using snowball technique. In the second phase, ranking of the key indicators of benchmarking operation of hospital information system (HIS) was conducted using Delphi technique. The method of data analysis in the first phase was based on a thematic content analysis, and primary and secondary themes were extracted through descriptive, interpretative, and explanatory coding. For the second phase, SPSS software was used to analyze quantitative findings and their ranking.

After performing 14 semi-structured interviews with the study participants, the key benchmarking indicators for hospital information system were identified with 8 main themes including hardware, software, support services, vendors, output quality, workflow process, design/interface, and costs, and 76 subthemes, prioritized through Delphi method.

Benchmarking intended for comparison and improvement of the various hospital systems such as hospital information system, is one of the very helpful instruments in the hands of the managers working in this field. The indicators identified during this research will provide a comprehensive tool for benchmarking of hospital information system. By applying these benchmarks continuously, there is a good possibility to improve the operation of such systems.