Information Quality in Nursing Information Systems – Experiences and Problems

Information Quality (IQ) is a problem associated with severe financial and outcome related impacts in the health care sector, and with growing acceptance of evidence-based decision support systems in the industry, it is becoming a key area of both strategic and operational management in the area. However, Nursing Information Systems (NIS) are often under-used and inhibited by poor IQ. This case study examines one such system and identifies a lack of IQ focus in the management of the system under scrutiny. The reasons for the under use of IQ management methods are probed, and problems for nursing management arising from the absence of IQ management processes are outlined. The paper concludes by suggesting principles by which the IQ management perspective could be introduced to meet the information requirements of nurses.