Medical Records Departments and Multi-Criteria Decision-Making*

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Sima Ajami 1
Saeedeh Ketabi 2
1 Associate Professor, Health Information Technology, Health Management and Economics Research Center, School of Medical Management and Information Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran (Corresponding author) Email: ajami@mng.mui.ac.ir
2 Assistant Professor, Economics, University of Isfahan AND Health Management and Economics Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Medical Records Department (MRD) is important for evaluating, planning and
prioritizing health care services. The major aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of
the MRDs of hospitals using multi-criteria decision-making approach in the selected hospitals of
Isfahan city, Iran.
Methods: This was an analytical and cross-sectional study that was conducted in spring 2008 in
Isfahan, Iran. The study population consisted of the MRD of Al-Zahra, Kashani and Khorshid
hospitals in Isfahan. Data were collected through brainstorming technique. Expert Choice
software was used to analyze the data.
Results: The results showed that relative weight of archiving unit had the higher degree of
importance than others in terms of information management. However, in terms of customer
aspect, relative weight of admission unit had the higher degree of importance than others.
Relative weight of medical records departments in Al-Zahra, Kashani and Khorshid hospitals in
Isfahan were 0.394, 0.342 and 0.264, respectively.
Conclusion: It is necessary for managers to allocate and prioritize resources according to
Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) ranking at every units of the MRD.

Keywords

1. Habibi H. Principles of Medical Records Department's evaluation [Online]. 2011 [2011 Jan 6]; Available from:
URL: http://medicalrecords.blogfa.com/post/ [In Persian].
2. Barahoee H. Hospital Management [Online]. 2009 [cited 2009 May 7]; Available from: URL:
http://manegergroup.blogfa.com/8802.aspx/[In Persian].
3. Ketabi S, Ansari ME, Naseri-Taheri M. Selecting appropriate marketing by Analytical Hierarchy Process and
strategic planning marketing approach, case report in Marjan Tile Corporation. Journal of Administrative
Sciences and Economics 2005; 17(1): 79-92. [In Persian].
4. Aczel J, Saaty TL. Procedures for synthesizing ratio judgements. Journal of Mathematical Psychology 1983;
27(1): 93-102.
5. Ajami S, Ketabi S. Performance evaluation of medical records departments by analytical hierarchy process (AHP)
approach in the selected hospitals in Isfahan: medical records dep. & AHP. J Med Syst 2012; 36(3): 1165-71                               6. Ahmed M, Islam R, Alwahaibi SK. Developing quality heathcare software using quality function deployment: A
case study based on Sultan Qaboos University Hospital. International Journal of Business Information Systems
2006; 1(4): 408-25.
7. Sloane EB, Liberatore MJ, Nydick RL. Case Studies Using Graphically Enhanced Computer Software to Improve
MIS and Clinical Decisions. Proceedings of the AMCIS (Association for Information Systems Society) 2003
Annual Conference; 2003 Aug 4-6; Orlando, FL; 2003.
8. Ahmadi M, Barabadi M, Kamkar Haghighi M. Evaluation of Hospital Information Systems in theMedical
Records Department. Health Inf Manage 2010; 7(1): 16-23. [In Persian].
9. Ajami S, Ketabi S, Saghaeinnejad-Isfahani S, Sadeghian A. Improving the Medical Records Department
Processes at Ayatolah Kashani Hospital in Isfahan by Lean Management. Proceeding of the 36th International
Conference of Operational Research Applied to Health Services (ORAHS) University of Genova; 2010 Jul
18-23; Genova, Switzerland; 2010.
10. Safdari R, Meidani Z, Hajavi A, Ghazi Saeedi M, Sharifian R. Designing a new paradigm for evaluating Iranian
medical record departments. J Health Adm 2007; 10(27): 19-26. [In Persian].
11.Ajami S, Tofighi SH, Tavakoli N, Ebadsichani A. Performance Evaluation of Medical Records Department with
Balanced Scorecard approach in Fatemehzahra Hospital of Najafabad, Iran. Health Inf Manage 2010; 7(1): 83-93.
[In Persian].
12.Azizi A, Torabipour A, Safari S, Mohhamadi A, Kheirollahi J, Shojaei Baghini M. Assessment of Medical
Records Department Performance in Kermanshah Educational Hospitals; 2007; Iran. J Health Adm 2009; 12(37):
17-22. [In Persian]. 
Health Information Management
Volume 9, Issue 5
November and December 2012
Pages 697-710