It is exciting to read about projects that are impacting and changing the way we address information needs.  An article by Schwartz and Jobst (2008) describes the efforts of the Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network (LVHHN) to integrate the digital library, clinical decision support and evidence-based practice at the point of care.  I was excited to read about the focus, because too often I believe we function in silos and do not reap the possible benefits of collaboration.   I have worked in several hospitals.  In most cases, there is an on-site medical library located somewhere far away from the clinical areas that has limited physical access.  More recently libraries have created web-based access, but there are still barriers to accessing the information needed.  Information needs continue to increase due to the growth of information as well as an increased emphasis on using the most solid research available upon which to base medical decisions for care.

The LVHHN received a grant from the National Library of Medicine called the Integrated Advanced Information Management Systems (IAIMS) grant.  The goals for the health network were to “…produce a strategic information technology (IT) development process to coordinate clinical, education, research, and administrative information objectives to meet the needs of the hospital network” (Schwartz & Jobst, 2008, 147).   The network identified five areas for integration, one being the digital library. 

There was a team identified to assess and make recommendations for improving the digital library.  The team included representatives from library services, information services, education as well as stakeholders including physicians, residents, nursing, pharmacy, and others.  A needs assessment showed difficulty locating resources, lack of knowledge about available resources, inability to use resources, lack of full text, speed of obtaining results, and resources for specialty areas.  Activities to remediate these issues included adding full-text journals, implementing a marketing plan, developing a Web site, and providing education to enable professionals to locate information.  Additional services have been identified to add value.  Online tutorials are being planned as well as the migration to a learning content management system.

I think one of the most important points described was the change in the process by which planning and implementing of change was made.  The authors describe the initial process as fragmented.  The focus on coordination and integration of information as well as inclusion of important departments and stakeholders in the planning process promoted sharing of information and a decrease in the silo mentality.  I think the collaborative approach also allows participants to learn about the contributions that can be made by different professionals.

Schwartz, Linda, M. and Barbara Jobst.  “Planning for the Integration of the Digital Library, Clinical Decision Support, and Evidence at the Point of Care.” Medical Reference Services Quarterly 27 (Summer 2008): 146-57.