Computerization of a medium-sized hospital without an internal DP department

The conventional approach to computerization in a large hospital is to establish an internal data processing (DP) department and DP professionals then begin to develop computer-based information systems (CBIS). For medium-sized hospitals, however, this approach is doubtful. The limitation of financial resources and the lack of skilled systems professionals force the medium-sized hospital to consider different approaches. In this paper, we present a conceptual framework for the computerization of a medium-sized hospital based upon the viewpoint of top management. Based on the conceptual framework presented, a PC-based application software package has been developed, tested, and implemented at Cheng-Ching Hospital in Taiwan. Our study shows that a medium-sized hospital can initiate and conduct computerization in very short time with low cost and without an internal DP department.