Premium
The Impact of Health Information Technology Adoption by Outpatient Facilities on Pregnancy Outcomes
Author(s) -
Deily Mary E.,
Hu Tianyan,
Terrizzi Sabrina,
Chou ShinYi,
Meyerhoefer Chad D.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
health services research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.706
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1475-6773
pISSN - 0017-9124
DOI - 10.1111/j.1475-6773.2012.01441.x
Subject(s) - pregnancy , medicine , medline , health services research , health information technology , outpatient visits , environmental health , health care , public health , nursing , political science , law , economics , economic growth , genetics , biology
Objective Examine whether health information technology ( HIT ) at nonhospital facilities ( NHF s) improves health outcomes and decreases resource use at hospitals within the same heath care network, and whether the impact of HIT varies as providers gain experience using the technologies. Data Sources Administrative claims data on 491,832 births in Pennsylvania during 1998–2004 from the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council and HIT applications data from the Dorenfest Institute. Study Design Fixed‐effects regression analysis of the impact of HIT at NHF s on adverse birth outcomes and resource use. Principal Findings Greater use of clinical HIT applications by NHF s is associated with reduced incidence of obstetric trauma and preventable complications, as well as longer lengths of stay. In addition, the beneficial effects of HIT increase the longer that technologies have been in use. However, we find no consistent evidence on whether or how nonclinical HIT in NHF s affects either resource use or health outcomes. Conclusions Clinical HIT applications at NHF s may reduce the likelihood of adverse birth outcomes, particularly after physicians and staff gain experience using the technologies.