An introduction of Computerized Patient Administration System to the Health Care Organizations is no doubt a revolutionary success. It has been destined to play a crucial role in health care delivery to the patients, to streamline the information flow within the organizations and to control the cost and time in services provided 1 . Flexibility in content and use, integration and adaptability to change are key requirements for successful CPAS 2 . Still yet, its implementation requires commitment of the management, whether it is a small practice or a large healthcare institution. “No matter which strategy the management decides to adopt, enthusiastic initiators are few and majority of future users still needs to be motivated” 2 .
Quality care involves informed decision making, which depends on the quality of information provided to the carer. It is therefore important that reliable and sufficient information is accessible where and when it is needed 2 . However hard institutions try to improve systems and make information more accessible, there will also be individuals who abuse the system. Security and confidentiality of data are of paramount importance to protect the patients from having incorrect data held and to protect them from having data made public 3 .
The UK has had its share in failed IT systems, wasted millions and disciplinary hearings 17 . The computer industry has grown by displaying its products as necessary for effective health care. Until this is demonstrated by experience and sound research, skepticism is required. The errors will continue to be replicated until the distinctive character of hospital information systems is acknowledged and properly designed evaluation is built into all contracts at the beginning 17 .
The idea behind CPAS is a move towards a population-based approach to health care, in which diagnoses and clinical risk strata group patients. The ultimate aim is to see integrated patient records in GP practices and health centers, electronic transmission of prescriptions between GPs and pharmacists, all primary care staff connected to NHSnet, and electronic clinical communication to support booking of in-patient appointments from the GP surgery, faster test results, protocol-based referrals and timely discharge information 9 .
If health care is a business and good patient health results are the measure of success than the continued dedication towards the improvement of CPAS can only be of benefit to all concerned 5 .