Cover The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Print ISSN:
0002-9637
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Quantitative Assessment of the Benefits of Specific Information Technologies Applied to Clinical Studies in Developing Countries

William AvilésSustainable Sciences Institute, Managua, Nicaragua; Centro de Salud Socrates Flores Vivas, Ministerio de Salud, Managua, Nicaragua; Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California

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Oscar OrtegaSustainable Sciences Institute, Managua, Nicaragua; Centro de Salud Socrates Flores Vivas, Ministerio de Salud, Managua, Nicaragua; Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California

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Guillermina KuanSustainable Sciences Institute, Managua, Nicaragua; Centro de Salud Socrates Flores Vivas, Ministerio de Salud, Managua, Nicaragua; Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California

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Josefina ColomaSustainable Sciences Institute, Managua, Nicaragua; Centro de Salud Socrates Flores Vivas, Ministerio de Salud, Managua, Nicaragua; Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California

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Eva HarrisSustainable Sciences Institute, Managua, Nicaragua; Centro de Salud Socrates Flores Vivas, Ministerio de Salud, Managua, Nicaragua; Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.2008.78.311
Volume/Issue:
Volume 78: Issue 2
Page(s):
311–315
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Clinical studies and trials require accessibility of large amounts of high-quality information in a timely manner, often daily. The integrated application of information technologies can greatly improve quality control as well as facilitate compliance with established standards such as Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP). We have customized and implemented a number of information technologies, such as personal data assistants (PDAs), geographic information system (GIS), and barcode and fingerprint scanning, to streamline a pediatric dengue cohort study in Managua, Nicaragua. Quantitative data was obtained to assess the actual contribution of each technology in relation to processing time, accuracy, real-time access to data, savings in consumable materials, and time to proficiency in training sessions. In addition to specific advantages, these information technologies benefited not only the study itself but numerous routine clinical and laboratory processes in the health center and laboratories of the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health.

Copyright:
Copyright 2008 The American Society of Tropical Medicine 2008
Received:
10 Oct 2007
|
Accepted:
20 Nov 2007
|
Published Online:
Feb 2008
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