Examine whether health information technology () at facilities (s) improves health outcomes and decreases resource use at within the same heath care network, and whether the impact of varies as providers gain experience using the technologies.
Administrative claims data on 491,832 births in Pennsylvania during 1998–2004 from the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council and applications data from the Dorenfest Institute.
Fixed‐effects regression analysis of the impact of at s on adverse birth outcomes and resource use.
Greater use of clinical applications by s is associated with reduced incidence of obstetric trauma and preventable complications, as well as longer lengths of stay. In addition, the beneficial effects of increase the longer that technologies have been in use. However, we find no consistent evidence on whether or how nonclinical in s affects either resource use or health outcomes.
Clinical applications at s may reduce the likelihood of adverse birth outcomes, particularly after physicians and staff gain experience using the technologies.
