Cost-benefit analysis of bedside computers

Bedside computer terminals are an approach to data entry that is maximally effective to meet the challenges facing nursing today and process hospital information. The purpose of this evaluation research study was to determine if bedside computers are justifiable through a cost-benefit analysis. Costbenefit analysis was done to determine whether the benefits outweigh the costs involved in implementing a bedside computer system.The General Systems Theory formulated by Ludwig von Betalanaffy was the theoretical framework utilized for this project. A non-standardized checklist of factors was developed from the literature review. The factors included were patient census, acuity, lost charges, reimbursement denials, and medicine errors. Interrater reliability was established by a panel ofthree experts on cost-benefit analysis.A convenience sample of one 42 bed nursing unit from a large metropolitan Midwestern hospital was chosen for data retrieval. One month of financial data was analyzed for this study. The procedures for the protection of human subjects were followed.The study showed that bedside computers are costjustified.-based on the results of the cost-benefit analysis. The projection of cost versus benefits realized from the bedside terminals was limited due to the unwillingness of vendors to share actual cost information. Reimbursement denials were unable to be retrieved because of the financial accounting practices of the institution chosen.A prospective approach rather than the retrospective approach utilized in this study may produce the data necessary for reimbursement denials. Recognizing its limitations, the results of this study should be considered when contemplating the purchase of bedside terminals or the increasingly more advanced technology of hand-held and voice activated computers.School of NursingThesis (M.S.