IMPROVE IT

There is a revolution going on in healthcare that many people believe is long overdue. This
revolution involves the application of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to
solve healthcare delivery system issues. Unfortunately, most of this revolution is based on just
that …beliefs! Click on the links below to read our paper describing the objectives of an initiative that will test the hypothesis that increased ICT capabilities, availability, and use leads directly to improved
clinical quality, patient safety, and overall effectiveness in the inpatient hospital setting.

To accomplish this, we have created a collaborative research network (IMPROVE IT Institute – Indices Measuring Performance Relating Outcomes, Value and Expenditure from Information Technology) that works to define specific measurement indicators in an attempt to examine the existence, the timing, and the level of improvements in health outcome that can be derived from ICT investment. These indicators will then be integrated to form performance indices in three areas. These areas comprise:

1. ICT cost (both initial and on-going investment),
2. Infusion (i.e., system availability, adoption and deployment), and
3. Health outcomes (e.g., clinical efficacy, efficiency, quality, and effectiveness).

Table of Contents

  1. Abstract
  2. Introduction
  3. Phased Approach
    1. IT Costs
    2. IT Infusion
    3. Health Performance
  4. Next Steps
  5. Conclusion
  6. References

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