Clinical data management systems tools

With the increased acceptance of the Internet and the huge innovations in web development tools, web-based data collection and management systems have become the choice of many CROs because of their capability for collecting clinical trial data in real time and disseminating critical clinical trial information to the participating sites and various oversight committees [27]. 

Verbeke et al. s article [70] explores how information and communication technology (ICT) tools can be applied to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of health services in five sub-Saharan countries. Thirty hospitals participated in the study, through business process analysis and semistructured interviews. Tools were implemented in 19 health facilities. Their impact was measured in terms of admission, patient identification, mortality, and morbidity. This research illustrates the secondary use of clinical data, enabling non-redundant reporting of health and care performance indicators. Patient identification, financial management, and structured reporting improved dramatically after implementation of ICT tools. Overall morbidity decreased, as well as the number of inpatient visits. The hospital workforce found the implementation of the system very positive, in terms of both quality of care and working conditions. 

Pharmacoeconomic data can be a powerful tool to support various clinical decisions, ranging from the level of the patient to the level of an entire health care system. Figure 1-2 shows various decisions that may be supported using pharmacoeconomics, including effective formulary management, individual patient treatment, medication policy, and resource aUocation. For discussion purposes, the application of pharmacoeconomics to decision making is divided into two basic areas drug therapy evaluation and clinical pharmacy service evaluation. 

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