Applying an organizational framework for health information technology to alerts.

We are far from understanding how best to design, implement, and use health information technology (IT). A comprehensive framework, developed by Rippen et al to capture and organize knowledge on the implementation, use, and optimization of health IT, may guide and inform more effective health IT deployment. This study applied Rippen's framework to a focused type of health IT - alerts - through clinical decision support (CDS), an area with a substantial evidence base around many facets of implementation, including the technology, use, and outcomes.

Organizational framework for health information technology.

Purpose: We do not yet know how best to design, implement, and use health information technology (IT). A comprehensive framework that captures knowledge on the implementation, use, and optimization of health IT will help guide more effective approaches in the future.

Methods: The authors conducted a targeted review of existing literature on health IT implementation and use, including health IT-related theories and models.