What type of information system should Anytown Hospital purchase to address "what if" questions?

A decision support system (DSS) is specifically designed to provide assistance in decision-making processes by analyzing large volumes of data and presenting actionable information. These systems are equipped to handle "what if" scenarios, allowing users to explore different situations and the potential outcomes based on varying inputs. By simulating different scenarios, decision-makers at Anytown Hospital can evaluate the implications of each choice, ultimately leading to more informed and effective decisions.

For example, the hospital might use a decision support system to assess how changing patient admission rates could impact resource allocation or financial performance. This capability to model hypothetical situations makes DSSs valuable tools in healthcare management.

In contrast, other types of systems listed, like executive information systems, are focused on providing summaries and insights for high-level management oversight rather than in-depth analysis of multiple scenarios. Expert systems are designed to simulate human expertise in specific domains, typically providing solutions based on established rules without the broader analytical capabilities of a decision support system. Transaction-oriented systems focus on the efficient processing of data related to day-to-day operational activities, lacking the analytical features required for "what if" analyses.