Systems integration: tying it all together.

Healthcare organizations' changing priorities have created needs for new information systems, as well as a demand for better integration of existing systems. Ten years ago, data processing concentrated on general and patient accounting, payroll, and accounts payable. Today, automated systems have to be able to gather data from several different systems to help in the added areas of patient care, cost management, and marketing. Making the transition from a manual to a truly integrated system is a gradual process, but will realize long-term benefits such as increased system efficiency, improved patient care, and better strategic business support. Before taking this step, healthcare executives need to know the typical problems that may occur with integration and what factors to consider before developing an integrated system.