Written for Health Systems Agency staff or board members who must analyze and evaluate a certificate of need (CON) application for a medical information system from a hospital, as well as for hospital executives who must prepare and submit such applications, this guidebook is intended to foster better decision-making in the acquisition of medical information systems consistent with the criteria established in the National Health Planning and Resources Development Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-641). Chapters describe (1) health planning review requirements; (2) current CON application deficiencies; (3) CON assessment criteria; (4) assessment of system alternatives; (5) assessment of acquisition alternatives; (6) hospital development plan and system objectives; (7) resource requirements; (8) financial feasibility and economic impact; and (9) treatment of systems used for research purposes. A bibliography lists more than 90 sources. (FM)