Work

Associations Between Hospital Structural Characteristics and Adoption of Public Health Data Integration and Automation: National Cross-Sectional proofsStudy

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Public health data integration and automation systems are crucial for effective health care delivery and public health surveillance. However, the factors associated with hospitals' adoption and successful implementation remain inadequately explored. Objective: This study aims to examine how hospital characteristics influence the adoption of public health data integration and automation. Methods: We analyzed 2277 hospitals from the 2023 American Hospital Association Annual Survey and its Health Information Technology supplement, focusing on 6 public health reporting categories. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the association between hospital characteristics and the 2 primary outcomes: active electronic data submission and use of automated transmission processes. Results: System-affiliated and not-for-profit hospitals demonstrated significantly higher rates of electronic data submission and automated reporting across most categories (odds ratio [OR] 1.70-2.27; P<.001). Rural hospitals showed lower adoption rates in immunization registry (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.61-0.97), public health registry (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.46-0.97), and clinical data registry reporting (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.60-0.98). Larger hospitals were more likely to implement electronic reporting, with medium and large hospitals showing stronger engagement in syndromic surveillance reporting (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.06-2.19 and OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.17-4.46, respectively). Teaching status was significantly associated only with clinical data registry reporting (OR 2.66, 95% CI 1.56-4.52 for major teaching hospitals). Conclusions: Hospital characteristics, particularly system affiliation, ownership type, and geographic location, are strongly associated with public health data integration and automation capabilities. Findings suggest targeted interventions are needed to address disparities in smaller and rural facilities to ensure equitable advancement of public health reporting infrastructure.

Source: Online Journal of Public Health Informatics

DOI: 10.2196/86263

Authors: Hanadi Hamadi, Alaysia Alford, Chloe Smith Lopez, Durron Baker, James Ian Samaniego, Jessica Yu Jin

Institution: University of North Florida

Language: English

Topic: Electronic Health Records Systems

Subfield: Health Information Management

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $350