Integrating a New Dietetic Care Process in a Health Information System: A System and Process Analysis and Assessment

Abstract

Managing routinely collected data in health care and public health is important for evaluation of interventions and answering research questions using “real life” and ”big data”. In addition to the technical requirements of information systems, both standardized terminology and standardized processes are needed. The aim of this project was to analyse and assess the integration of standardized terminology and document templates for a dietetic care process (DCP) into the health information system (HIS) in a hospital in Austria. Using an action research approach, the DCP was analysed through four expert interviews and the integration into the HIS through two expert interviews with observations. Key strengths and weaknesses for the main criteria (“integration of the ICF catalogue”, “adaption of the document templates”, “adaption of the DCP”, and the “adaption of the user authorizations”) were presented and proposals for improvement given. The system and process integration of the DCP is possible, and the document templates can be adapted with the software currently in use. Although an increase in resources and finances required is to be expected initially, the integration of a standardized dietetic terminology in combination with a standardized process is likely to improve the quality of care and support outcomes management and research.

Monitoring/Evaluation in Nutritional Therapy for People with Gastrointestinal Complaints: Online Survey with Dietitians

“…The implementation of disease-specific core outcome sets in the health information system is of great advantage in facilitating the routine measurement of the effectiveness of nutrition care. Recently published literature shows the technical implementation feasibility of ICF categories in health information systems [30] and would facilitate automated data collection.…”

A Data-Driven Paradigm for a Resilient and Sustainable Integrated Health Information Systems for Health Care Applications

“…Data generated from health care applications within the healthcare arena are required to be timely, credible, reliable and actionable to enable decisions that are data-driven as well as to enable considerate monitoring and forecasting within the healthcare setting. 50,[59][60][61][62] Decision-making occurs in different sectors within the healthcare space. For these decisions to be made, data from different modules were targeted in the HIS environment.…”

“…Coupled with the dearth of integration, interoperability, and trained personnel to manage and utilise these data within the health system have necessitated the need for a data-driven paradigm for resilient and sustainable HIS for health care applications within the healthcare arena. 58 , 60 Thus, case study data revolves around health care applications directly linked to HIS and healthcare stakeholders.…”

Exploring the Impact of Appetite Alteration on Self-Management and Malnutrition in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients: A Mixed Methods Research Using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Framework

“…The ICF Core Sets are shortlists of the ICF codes related to health issues that span life. The ICF-Dietetics [ 7 ] is particularly relevant to this study because it intends to provide adequate care and support for HD patients.…”

“…However, ICF-Dietetics would be more advantageous in terms of multidisciplinary application [ 3 ]. Nevertheless, a paradigm change from medical diagnosis-focused health care to a holistic perspective of functioning with a greater emphasis on Participation and Environmental Factors is needed for the successful adoption of the ICF-Dietetics in clinical practice [ 7 ].…”