Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Criteria for the Evaluation of a Cloud-Based Hospital Information System Outsourcing Provider

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Medical Systems Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

As cloud computing technology has proliferated rapidly worldwide, there has been a trend toward adopting cloud-based hospital information systems (CHISs). This study examines the critical criteria for selecting the CHISs outsourcing provider. The fuzzy Delphi method (FDM) is used to evaluate the primary indicator collected from 188 useable responses at a working hospital in Taiwan. Moreover, the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) is employed to calculate the weights of these criteria and establish a fuzzy multi-criteria model of CHISs outsourcing provider selection from 42 experts. The results indicate that the five most critical criteria related to CHISs outsourcing provider selection are (1) system function, (2) service quality, (3) integration, (4) professionalism, and (5) economics. This study may contribute to understanding how cloud-based hospital systems can reinforce content design and offer a way to compete in the field by developing more appropriate systems.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Pai, F. Y., and Huang, K. I., Applying the technology acceptance model to the introduction of healthcare information systems. Technol. Forecast. Soc. Change. 78(4):650–660, 2011. doi:10.1016/j.techfore.2010.11.007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Behrend, T. S., Wiebe, E. N., London, J. E., and Johnson, E. C., Cloud computing adoption and usage in community colleges. Behav. Inform. Tech. 30(2):231–240, 2011. doi:10.1080/0144929X.2010.489118.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Haswell, H., ActiveHealth and IBM Pioneer Cloud Computing Approach to Help Doctors Deliver High Quality, Cost Effective Patient Care. http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/32267.wss 2010, Accessed 5 March 2011

  4. Löhr, H., Sadeghi, A. R., Winandy, M., Securing the E-health Cloud. http://www.slideshare.net/BongYoungSung/securing-the-e-health-cloud 2010, Accessed 10 August 2011

  5. Sujith, E., Cloud Computing in Healthcare. http://www.frost.com/prod/servlet/market-insight-top.pag?docid=135578323 2008, Accessed 8 October 2011

  6. Yucel, G., Cebi, S., Hoege, B., and Ozok, A. F., A fuzzy risk assessment model for hospital information system implementation. Expert Syst. Appl. 32(3):868–878, 2011. doi:10.1016/j.eswa.2011.07.129.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Xu, X., From cloud computing to cloud manufacturing. Robot. Comput. Integrated Manuf. 28(1):75–86, 2012. doi:10.1016/j.rcim.2011.07.002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Le, X. H., Lee, S., Lee, Y. K., et al., Activity-oriented access control to ubiquitous hospital information and services. Inform. Sci. 180(16):2979–2990, 2010. doi:10.1016/j.ins.2010.04.020.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Armbrust, M., Fox, A., Griffith, R., et al., A view of cloud computing. Comm. ACM. 53(4):50–58, 2010. doi:10.1145/1721654.1721672.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Goscinski, A., and Brock, M., Toward dynamic and attribute based publication, discovery and selection for cloud computing. Future. Generat. Comput. Syst. 26(7):947–970, 2010. doi:10.1016/j.future.2010.03.009.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Tuncay, E., Effective use of cloud computing in educational institutions. Procedia Soc. Behav. Sci. 2(2):938–942, 2010. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2010.03.130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Buyya, R., Yeo, C. S., Venugopal, S., Broberg, J., and Brandic, I., Cloud computing and emerging IT platforms: Vision, hype, and reality for delivering computing as the 5th utility. Future. Generat. Comput. Syst. 25(6):599–616, 2009. doi:10.1016/j.future.2008.12.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Marshall, D., Now is the time to take the cloud seriously. http://vmblog.com/archive/2010/09/09/now-is-the-time-to-take-the-cloud-seriously.aspx 2010, Accessed 7 June 2011

  14. Miller, J. A., Health IT look out: The cloud and outsourcing coming. http://www.tomsitpro.com/articles/cloud-computing-iaas-healthcare,1-3.html 2010, Accessed 8 June 2011

  15. Chou, T. C., Chen, J. R., and Pan, S. L., The impacts of social capital on information technology outsourcing decisions: A case study of a Taiwanese high-tech firm. Int. J. Inform. Manag. 26(3):249–256, 2006. doi:10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2006.02.002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Burmahl, B., Making the choice: The pros and cons of outsourcing. Health Facil Manage 14(6):16–22, 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Lorence, D. P., Healthcare information systems outsourcing. Int. J. Inform. Manag. 24(2):131–145, 2004. doi:10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2003.12.011.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Menachemi, N., Burke, D., Diana, M., and Brooks, R., Characteristics of hospitals that outsource information system functions. J. Healthc. Inf. Manag. 19(1):63–69, 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Diana, M. L., Exploring information systems outsourcing in U.S. hospital-based health care delivery systems. Health Care Manag. Sci. 12(4):434–450, 2009. doi:10.1007/s10729-009-9100-4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Kahraman, C., Cebeci, U., and Ulukan, Z., Multi criteria supplier selection using fuzzy AHP. Logist. Inform. Manag. 16(6):382–94, 2003. doi:10.1108/09576050310503367.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Bryson, K. M. O., and Ngwenyama, O. K., Managing risks in information systems outsourcing: an approach to analyzing outsourcing risks and structuring incentive contracts. Eur. J. Oper. Res. 174(1):245–264, 2006. doi:10.1016/j.ejor.2005.01.060.

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  22. Yang, C., and Huang, J. B., A decision model for IS outsourcing: Using a multicriteria method. Int. J. Inform. Manag. 20(3):225–239, 2000. doi:10.1016/S0268-4012(00)00007-4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Yoon, Y., and Im, K., An evaluation system for IT outsourcing customer satisfaction using analytic hierarchy process. J. Global Inform. Manag. 13(4):55–78, 2005. doi:10.4018/jgim.2005100103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Kahraman, C., Engin, O., Kabak, O., and Kaya, I., Information systems outsourcing decisions using a group decision-making approach. Eng. Appl. Artif. Intell. 22(6):832–841, 2009. doi:10.1016/j.engappai.2008.10.009.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Yang, D. H., Kim, S., Nam, C., and Min, J. W., Developing a decision model for business process outsourcing. Comput. Oper. Res. 34(12):3769–3778, 2007.

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  26. Büyüközkan, G., Cifci, G., and Guleryuz, S., Strategic analysis of healthcare service quality using fuzzy AHP methodology. Expert. Syst. Appl. 38(8):9407–9424, 2011. doi:10.1016/j.eswa.2011.01.103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Ladhari, R., Developing e-service quality scales: A literature review. J. Retailing Consum. Serv. 17(6):464–477, 2010. doi:10.1016/j.jretconser.2010.06.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Hadwich, K., Georgi, D., Tuzovic, S., et al., Perceived quality of e-health services: A conceptual scale development of e-health service quality based on the C-OAR-SE approach. Int. J. Pharmaceut. Healthc. Market. 4(2):112–136, 2010. doi:10.1108/17506121011059740.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Odhiambo-Otieno, G. W., Evaluation criteria for district health management information systems: Lessons from the Ministry of Health. Kenya. Int. J. Med. Informat. 74(1):31–38, 2005. doi:10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2004.09.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Ramsaran-Fowdar, R. R., The relative importance of service dimensions in a healthcare setting. Int. J. Health Care Qual. Assur. 21(1):104–124, 2008. doi:10.1108/09526860810841192.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Rafe, V., and Monfaredzadeh, M., A qualitative framework to assess hospital/medical websites. J Med Syst., 2011. doi:10.1007/s10916-011-9771-5.

  32. Leem, C. S., and Yoon, Y. K., A maturity model and an evaluation system of software customers satisfaction: The case of software companies in Korea. Ind. Manag. Data Syst. 104(4):347–354, 2004. doi:10.1108/02635570410530757.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. McDowell, S. W., Wahl, R., and Michelson, J., Herding cats: The challenges of EMR vendor selection. J Healthc Inf Manag. 17(3):63–71, 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Brust, C., and Sarnikar, S., Decision modeling for healthcare enterprise IT architecture utilizing cloud computing. In Proceedings of the Americas Conference on Information Systems, August, 2011, Michigan, American, 2011.

  35. Zadeh, L. A., Fuzzy sets. Inform. Control. 8:338–353, 1965.

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  36. Ordoobadi, S. M., Development of a supplier selection model using fuzzy logic. Supply Chain Manag. Int. J. 14(4):314–327, 2009. doi:10.1108/13598540910970144.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Saaty, T., How to make a decision: The analytic hierarchy process. Eur. J. Oper. Res. 48:9–26, 1990.

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  38. Kaufmann, A., and Gupta, M. M., Introduction to fuzzy arithmetic: Theory and applications. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1991.

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  39. Lin, L. C., An integrated framework for the development of radio frequency identification technology in the logistics and supply chain management. Comput. Ind. Eng. 57(3):832–842, 2009. doi:10.1016/j.cie.2009.02.010.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Murray, T. J., Pipino, L. L., and Gigch, J. P., A pilot study of fuzzy set modification of Delphi. Hum. Syst. Manag. 5(1):76–80, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Elitzur, R., Gavious, A., and Wensley, A. K. P., Information systems outsourcing projects as a double moral hazard problem. Omega. 40:379–389, 2012. doi:10.1016/j.omega.2011.06.005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Klir, G. J., and Yuan, B., Fuzzy sets and fuzzy logic: Theory and applications. Prentice Hall, New Jersey, 1995.

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  43. Chen, C. F. and Wu, S., Cloud-based medical information sharing system to come on line. http://focustaiwan.tw/ShowNews/WebNews_Detail.aspx?Type=aALL&ID=201108070006 2011, Accessed 16 October 2011

Download references

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that this work has no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, National Yunlin University of Science & Technology, 123 University Road, Section 3 Douliou, Yunlin, 640, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Chinyao Low & Ya Hsueh Chen

Authors
  1. Chinyao Low
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ya Hsueh Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ya Hsueh Chen.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Low, C., Hsueh Chen, Y. Criteria for the Evaluation of a Cloud-Based Hospital Information System Outsourcing Provider. J Med Syst 36, 3543–3553 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-012-9829-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-012-9829-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation