Developing and implementing a clinical patient information system: a mental health perspective

Abstract

The Hospitaller Order of St John of God is involved in providing health, educational and social services to people with mental health problems and learning difficulties in the Republic of Ireland. As part of its development plan the Order is engaging in the development of a comprehensive Mental Health Information System encompassing both community and hospital-based services. This system is being developed by local practitioners with the assistance of an external facilitator. The Order is also extensively involved in developing legal and ethical protocols to ensure the system meets all requirements of data protection legislation both nationally and at European levels. Within the overall system, the nursing component is the first part to have been operationalized and some initial evaluation of its efficacy has been conducted. The purpose of this paper is to present the work of the nursing department at St John of God Hospital, Dublin, in the development, implementation and initial evaluation of a computerized patient information system.