Khorrami F¹ * (MSc), Ahmadi M² (PhD), Zare Sh³ (PhD), Husseini Eshpala R⁴ (BSc)

 ¹ Department of Health Information Technology, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran

  2 Department of Health Information Management, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

  3 D epartment of Community Medicine, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran

  4 Department of Statistical and Information Technology, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran

  Received: 29 Mar 2011, Accepted: 9 Apr 2012

  Abstract

  Introduction: Given the ever-increasing importance and value of information, providing the management with a reliable information system, which can facilitate decision making regarding planning, organization and control, is vitally important. This study aimed to analyze and evaluate information needs of medical equipment offices.

  Methods: This descriptive applied cross-sectional study was carried out in 2008. The population of the study included the managers of statistic and medical records at the offices of vice-chancellor for treatment in 39 medical universities in Iran. Data were collected using structured questioners. With regard to different kinds of designing information systems, sampling was done by two methods, BSP (based on processes of job description) and CSF method (based on critical success factors). The data were analyzed by SPSS-16.

  Results: Our study showed that 41% of information needs were found to be critical success factors of managers of office. The first priority of managers was "the number of bed and bed occupancy at hospitals". Of 29 identified information needs, 62% were initial information needs of managers (from the view points of managers). Of all, 4% of information needs were obtained through the form, 14% through both the form and database, 11% through the web site and 71% had no sources (forms, databases, web site).

  Conclusion: Since 71% of the information needs of statistic managers had no information sources, development of information system in these offices seems to be necessary. Despite the important role of users in designing information systems (identifying 62% of information needs), other scientific methods is also needed to be utilized in designing information systems.

  Key words: n eeds assessment, management information systems, medical equipment and supplies, medical equipment office

  Please cite this article as follows:

  Khorrami F, Ahmadi M, Zare Sh, Husseini Eshpala R. Information Needs Assessment of Medical Equipment Offices Based on Critical Success Factors (CSF) and Business System Planning (BSP) Methods. Hakim Research Journal 2012 15(1): 22- 29.

  * Corresponding Author: Department of Health Information Management, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences. Tel: +98- 761- 3335092, Fax: +98- 761- 3335095, E-mail: khorrami.farid@gmail.com