HOSPITAL INFORMATION MANAGEMENT: A PROPOSAL BASED ON A CASE STUDY OF A TEACHING HOSPITAL IN RECIFE

Abstract

Information management has become a growing concern in organizations. Recently, several studies have been conducted with this focus in the health care area. However, few authors deal with the issue considering the reality of public hospitals - specially teaching ones. In fact, a huge amount of data has been produced without a policy for suitable information management. That often causes wrong decisions to be made due to the lack of good information in due time. This paper discusses the issue and a proposes guidelines for information management in hospitals, regardless of them being university owned or not. To accomplish that, the authors used both a qualitative and a quantitative approaches. Members of the top management team of a well regarded teaching hospital of Pernambuco state were interviewed to identify the information needed to properly managing the hospital. Other managers were also questioned in an effort to understand the current information management configuration of the organization. Shortcomings were identified concerning in strategic issues, such as communication, people's responsibilities and the definition of political and informational processes. Considering the literature on organizational management and information management and after a case study, a plan was prepared for the hospital's information management. The authors hope to stimulate other researchers to carry out studies that help understand and deploy efficient information management systems for Brazilian hospitals.