THE EFFICIENCY OF PREOPERATIVE EVALUATION - A COMPARISON OF COMPUTERIZED AND PAPER RECORDING-SYSTEMS

Objective. We designed and implemented a preoperative evaluation recor d system with seven networked computers for use by physicians and othe r medical staff. This study compared the efficiency of the new compute rized system with that of the paper system. Methods. We reviewed data from preoperative evaluations completed from November 1990 through Dec ember 1992. Data were analyzed automatically (Borland C program) for t wo intervals: (1) the waiting period, defined as the time the patient entered the waiting room until he or she entered the examination room; and (2) the examination period, defined as the time the patient enter ed the examination room until an evaluation form was printed. Data wer e obtained for 2,511 evaluations on paper and 8,342 by computer. Resul ts. The average waiting period with the paper system was 56.1 +/- 44.8 min; the average waiting period with the computerized system was 59.1 +/- 47.0 min. The average examination period was nearly identical for both systems: 27.5 +/- 23.6 min for the paper system; 28.5 +/- 22.7 m in for the computerized system. Conclusion. The computerized system re quired no more examination time than the manual system. In addition, w e speculate that time is saved at other points of patient care by the legible, instantly retrievable preoperative evaluations that the compu terized system produces.