Evaluating the impact of the Hospital Information System (HIS) on staff performance in teaching hospitals of Kerman, Iran

Background The Hospital Information System (HIS) is a vital tool for enhancing operational efficiency and informed decision-making in hospitals. A systematic evaluation of the HIS helps identify its strengths and weaknesses, supports continuous improvement based on user needs, and ultimately enhances hospital performance. Objective This study aimed to assess the impact of HIS on staff performance in teaching hospitals affiliated with Kerman University of Medical Sciences, focusing on users’ perceptions of system usefulness, ease of use, and its effect on daily work efficiency. Methods A descriptive–analytical cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2023 and January 2024 in four teaching hospitals (Shafa, Afzalipour, Bahonar, and Beheshti). A total of 189 of 193 HIS users—including managers, permanent, contractual, and temporary staff—were recruited through census sampling. Data were collected using a validated researcher-developed questionnaire containing 33 items across three domains: staff performance, service delivery, and hospital revenue/cost management. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was .78. Data analysis was performed using the R software, employing descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and the Kruskal–Wallis test. Results Female participants reported significantly more positive perceptions of HIS in the domains of service delivery ( P = .02) and overall use ( P = .03). Staff with bachelor's degrees and permanent employees perceived greater positive effects of HIS on task performance ( P = .036 and P = .021, respectively). No significant differences were found in the perceived impact of HIS on hospital revenue and cost management among different groups. Conclusion HIS positive influence on staff performance and service delivery in hospital environments. To maximize its benefits, targeted user training and ongoing system evaluation are recommended. Although the findings are specific to four hospitals in Kerman, users’ perceptions provide valuable insights for optimizing the implementation of HIS in similar healthcare settings.