Multiple perspectives on the impact of electronic ordering on hospital organisational and communication processes

Electronic ordering systems provide many potential benefits for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery. They also have major implications for organisational and communication processes within hospitals. We undertook a qualitative study using focus groups and interviews with doctors, nurses, IT managers, and pathology laboratory managers to investigate the impact of the system on their work processes and relations within a major teaching hospital. This study revealed that the new electronic ordering system involved major alterations to the information management processes within the hospital, which in turn affected communication processes and work relations.