Deck 8: Selecting a Healthcare Information System

Question 1

The selection and implementation of an information system occurs through a well-defined process known as which of the following?

A)Request for proposal
B)Decision making
C)Strategic planning
D)Life cycle

Answer 1

Life cycle

Question 2

The steering committee must consider much information in order to arrive at the best system. Which statements would be considered as favorable during the evaluation of systems for purchase consideration?

A)Minimal downtime is required nightly for complete system checks and backup.
B)Connectivity between the application and inputting clinical information, such as vital signs, can be achieved through customization.
C)Open system architecture is utilized for system protocols.
D)Response time for all online transactions is five seconds or more.
E)A separate training environment is used, where new users can utilize the live system for training whenever it is needed.

Answer 2

Minimal downtime is required nightly for complete system checks and backup.
Connectivity between the application and inputting clinical information, such as vital signs, can be achieved through customization.
Open system architecture is utilized for system protocols.

Question 3

Which of the following accurately describes the process of determining system requirements?

A)The list of "musts" and "wants" are compiled from information gathered during numerous interviews.
B)Include only those criteria that are necessary at the present time and not in the future.
C)During the interview process the interviewers use a rating scale to weight the list of "musts" and "wants" from one to ten.
D)After the interviews are completed, the selection committee members use a rating scale to weight the list of "musts" and "wants" from one to ten.
E)The criteria are grouped into functional categories to present a full picture of the system requirements.

Answer 3

The list of "musts" and "wants" are compiled from information gathered during numerous interviews.
After the interviews are completed, the selection committee members use a rating scale to weight the list of "musts" and "wants" from one to ten.
The criteria are grouped into functional categories to present a full picture of the system requirements.

Question 4

Which statement best fits a request for information (RFI) on a wireless cardiovascular (CV) monitoring system?

A)An Internet search is conducted to find likely wireless CV monitoring system vendors.
B)A brief document is sent to several CV monitoring vendors outlining plans for expansion to a wireless cardiovascular monitoring system.
C)A formal request is sent to one CV monitoring vendor following an initial contact at a trade show.
D)A representative of the wireless CV monitoring system search committee attends a trade show to appraise possible vendors.

Question 5

How long did Melanson, Lindeman, and Jarolim (2007) note that it would take from the time that a committee is formed until a health care information system selection is finalized?

A)14 months
B)Two years
C)Six months
D)Three years

Question 6

Which of the following qualities should be considered desirable by the health care institution's steering committee when selecting an information systems consultant?

A)Strong personality that is up to the task of bucking the corporate culture
B)Tendency to focus on results rather than trying to manage expectations
C)Highly organized and follows a clearly defined work plan
D)Considerable experience with hospital mainframe legacy systems
E)Excellent written communication skills, but difficulty with spoken communications

Question 7

The information system life cycle in the text is divided into phases. Which of the following are considered part of the life cycle process?

A)Needs assessment
B)System selection
C)Problem solving
D)Implementation
E)Maintenance

Question 8

When the steering committee of an acute care institution is appointed to select a new computer system, site visits are requested at a number of organizations to see the live systems. During these visits, which statement provided in staff interviews should alert the committee to potential bias?

A)"System backups occur daily at midnight but we rarely notice them.The downtime is minimal."
B)"What we would like to see added to the system is the ability to add wireless devices.The vendor is looking into the situation now."
C)"Vendor support is always wonderful.Here is one of the company representatives who can best explain that to you."
D)"System access is restricted per HIPAA guidelines.We use a thumbprint to verify entry into the system."

Question 9

Which of the following should the needs assessment committee do as a first step in the process of determining the organization's information needs?

A)Examining the vision of the organization
B)Using brainstorming to defining the expectations of the information system
C)Examining the strategic plan
D)Examining the mission statement
E)Establishing goals to guide the work of the committee

Question 10

A thorough understanding of how information is currently collected and processed is the starting point in performing a needs assessment. This is also known as which of the following?

A)Assessing internal environment
B)Assessing external environment
C)Planning for the change process
D)Implementing the new system

Question 11

When evaluating a request for proposal (RFP) for the installation of a wireless system, the health care facility would be most impressed with which of the following?

A)The proposal is a standard request sent to a number of institutions.
B)The proposal was received a week before the deadline date.
C)A proposal that includes precise answers to specific steering committee questions
D)A proposal that appears to meet most of the "must" requirements
E)A proposal that is written clearly, precisely, and professionally

Question 12

Which of the following suggests that a vendor is reliable?

A)The vendor is willing to provide customized services for the institution at a reasonable negotiable fee.
B)The vendor is knowledgeable about the system and provides additional information without prompting.
C)The vendor provides a contact list of previous customers, but none are willing to be interviewed.
D)The vendor addresses all requirements for the system and quickly provides answers for questions.

Question 13

Once the decision has been made as to which vendor's system to purchase, which department of the organization completes the final negotiations?

A)Information technology
B)Chief operating officer
C)Selection committee
D)Legal department

Question 14

The needs assessment committee starts the process by examining which organization document?

A)Critical pathways
B)Staffing schedules
C)Mission statement
D)Memos from chief financial officer

Question 15

Which of the following methods can be used to collect information in order to determine information system requirements?

A)Schedule a focus group of maintenance personnel.
B)Send questionnaires to corporate partners.
C)Interview point-of-care staff only.
D)Interview staff members from each department.

Question 16

The methodology to assure the request for proposal (RFP) is structured to ensure successful system selection includes which of the following criteria?

A)Develop well constructed questions
B)Create a long list of elaborate questions
C)Request a quick review of the organization's needs
D)Selection of the final team to implement the system
E)Randomly ranked requirements

Question 17

The members of a steering committee should be carefully selected. Which committee would be most effective?

A)A four-member committee consisting entirely of high-level executive board members
B)A five-member committee consisting of one upper-level management representative from each department
C)A 15-member committee consisting of multidisciplinary representatives from each unit/department
D)A 12-member committee consisting of staff nurse representatives from each unit

Question 18

A 512-bed acute-care community hospital is planning to install a wireless system. The steering committee is planning a site visit to observe the wireless system in action. Which site would be the most suitable for the committee to visit?

A)A 36-bed state-of-the-art open-heart intensive care unit at a hospital that uses the same vendor's equipment and services
B)A 496-bed acute-care hospital utilizing another vendor with similar equipment and services
C)A 485-bed acute-care community hospital utilizing the same vendor's equipment and services
D)A 712-bed acute-tertiary care hospital utilizing the same vendor's equipment and services

Question 19

Which statement best fits a request for proposal (RFP) for a wireless system?

A)The vendor sends literature about its wireless system to several institutions to increase their business.
B)The search committee sends email requests to several vendors stating the needs of the institution for a new wireless system.
C)The steering committee sends a formal document to several vendors to ask for specific information about their wireless system.
D)A formal document is sent by a vendor who heard an institution is upgrading its monitoring system.

Question 20

Which of these steering committee members should likely be replaced?

A)The coronary care nurse manager who attends half the regularly scheduled meetings
B)The chief nursing officer who attends more than half of the regularly scheduled meetings
C)The chief executive officer of the hospital who attends all meetings
D)The medical director of the organization who attends two-thirds of the regularly scheduled meetings

Question 21

Which of the following statements most accurately describes the difference between down time and response time?

A)Response time is the period of time when an information system is not operational and available for use whereas down time is the amount of time between a user action and the response from the information system.
B)Response time is the moment information is gleaned from the computer whereas down time is the period when the system is off.
C)Response time is the amount of time between a user action and the response from the information system whereas downtime refers to the period of time when an information system is not operational and available for use.
D)Response time occurs when the software is downloaded whereas down time refers to the period of time it takes for the software to activate.

Question 22

The pediatric technology committee has determined the need for enhanced bedside technology for ventilated patients. After a lengthy review process, the committee continues to debate the "musts" and "needs" of the new system. The best way to facilitate complex decision making is through the development of which of the following?

A)Strategic planning
B)A timeline
C)Conflict resolution skills
D)Weighted scoring tool

Question 23

The information system life cycle can be divided into four phases that cover the life span of information systems. Which of the following answers best describes the end of the relationship?

A)There is no end to the life cycle.
B)The life cycle ends with implementation.
C)The life cycle ends with evaluation.
D)The life cycle ends with assessment.

Question 24

Which of the following answers best represents the use of a Gantt chart?

A)A Gantt chart is a horizontal bar chart used to illustrate the start and finish dates of the elements of a project.
B)A Gantt chart is useful in the creation of a RFP.
C)A Gantt chart controls the strategic planning process.
D)A Gantt chart is an essential document presented to all stakeholders.

Question 25

The information system life cycle can be divided into main phases that cover the life span of information systems. Which of the following phases of the life cycle apply to the organization's information system?

A)Needs assessment
B)Purchasing phase
C)System selection
D)Upgrading phase
E)Internal review

Question 26

A _____________________ will facilitate the evaluation of complicated request for proposal responses from vendors and will improve the ability of the steering committee to make an informed decision.

Question 27

Which of the following statements is accurate about the contract negotiation process and system purchase?

A)Contract negotiations are carried out by the organization's legal enterprise.
B)Contract negotiations begin with the RFP.
C)The steering committee is part of the contract negotiation process.
D)The contract negotiation is the last phase of the life cycle.

Question 28

Which statement accurately reflects the union of the mission statement with identification of the technology needs?

A)"The staff of St.Francis Hospital are dedicated to the provision of quality, individualized patient care from a Roman Catholic tradition through the incorporation of values, holistic care, and state of the art technology."
B)"The staff of Riverside Memorial Hospital are dedicated to providing comprehensive patient care."
C)"The mission of Unionville Hospice is to render quality end-of-life care and the commitment of blending holistic care with palliative therapies."
D)"Good Samaritan Hospital provides a high tech environment for all patients."

Question 29

This week, the attending physicians for a large urban primary care facility have set the goal for the implementation of the new technology system to coincide with the opening of the cardiology wing. The unit is scheduled to admit patients in six months; however, a needs assessment must first be completed. Which of the following statements accurately defines the purpose of the needs assessment?

A)The needs assessment identifies the organization's information needs.
B)The needs assessment can be completed during the opening of the new wing.
C)The needs assessment is not necessary with new construction.
D)Plans for the construction are unrelated to the needs assessment.

Question 30

Techno-H has been selected for as the vendor focused on the technology update for Tall Trees Hospital. Now that the vendor has been chosen, the staff have discovered a number of additional upgrades that they would like added to the contract. Which of the following statements would be considered reasonable requests?

A)Increased technological support during implementation phase
B)Workshops led by vendor during off shifts
C)Provide user friendly help manuals
D)Vendor representative demonstrates live system.
E)Request price reduction after contract has been negotiated.

Question 31

Which of the following phases is the first step of the information system life cycle?

A)Implementation
B)Needs assessment
C)System selection
D)Maintenance

Question 32

Which of the following statements best describes the term milestone?

A)A milestone is essential in developing a timeline.
B)A milestone delineates strategic planning goals.
C)A milestone is a major entity in the system's maintenance.
D)A milestone guides the selection of the system.

Question 33

Which of the following answers describes the relationship between an open system architecture environment and the central processing unit?

A)Architecture refers to the goals of the central processing unit and its interrelated elements.
B)Architecture refers to the structure of the central processing unit and its interrelated elements.
C)Architecture refers to the maintenance of the central processing unit and its interrelated elements.
D)Architecture refers to the technology of the central processing unit and its interrelated elements.

Question 34

The purpose of the ________________________ is to determine the gap between an organization's current state and the overall needs of the organization with consideration to the strategic plan.

Question 35

Once the strategic plan has been developed which identifies the organization's technology goals and needs, the selection and implementation of an information system occurs through a well-defined process known as the ________________________.

Question 36

Which of the following questions is not appropriate for a committee to ask when the vendors submit the response to a request for proposal (RFP)?

A)Was the response submitted by the deadline date?
B)Were the vendor representatives responsive and knowledgeable?
C)Will the vendor select the hardware and software needs of the organization?
D)Does the proposal address the requirements outlined in the RFP, or does it appear to be a standard bid?