Home Project-material THE RELEVANCE AND IMPLEMENTATION OF HEALTH INFORMATICS IN HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SERVICE; A FOCUS ON FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTER ASABA

THE RELEVANCE AND IMPLEMENTATION OF HEALTH INFORMATICS IN HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SERVICE; A FOCUS ON FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTER ASABA

Dept: PUBLIC HEALTH File: Word(doc) Chapters: 1-5 Views: 7

Abstract

Nigeria is witnessing continuing advocacy and increase in number of individuals yearning for computerization of health information and healthcare processes. However, little is known about the opinions of the diverse healthcare providers who would ensure the successful implementation and meaningful use of health information technology in the country. This study explores the perceived challenges and prospects from the perspectives of doctors, through their knowledge and experience that may be associated with the implementation of health informatics record at the federal medical center Asaba where they work. The study also sought their views on the benefits of the system if implemented. With an interpretive case study research approach, empirical material was collected from doctors in the federal medical center Asaba in three different states of Nigeria using informal phone discussions. Findings from the survey revealed that challenges associated with the implementation of health informa

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1  

Background of the Study

The healthcare delivery system of a nation hinges, amongst other things, on how well its hospitals can deliver qualitative and affordable healthcare to its citizens. Thus, the role of hospitals in the healthcare delivery system of a nation cannot be overemphasized (Ojo et al. 2015). Health records are essential for good healthcare and good quality healthcare data play a vital role in the planning, development and maintenance of optimal healthcare. The amount and quality of information available to healthcare professionals in patient care impact the outcome and continuity of patient care. Furthermore, medical information needed for clinical decision making continues to increase, especially in developing countries. However, the organization and accessibility of medical information remain poor, usually resulting in inappropriate decisions and medical errors.

Health Information Management Systems (HIMS) are therefore seen as crucial for increasing accessibility and management of medical information. The history of health informatics in Nigeria started in the late 80s when a collaborative research project between the Computing Centre of the University of Kuopio, Finland; the Obafemi Awolowo University; and the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTHC), Nigeria was initiated. The joint project produced a very rudimentary hospital information system based on the Veterans Administration’s (VA) Admission Discharge Transfer running on a stand-alone PC which was in use at OAUTHC in 1991. In the late 1990s, the Finnish/Nigerian research team decided to expand their rudimentary hospital information system with the aim of developing a comprehensive system suitable for use in all Nigerian Teaching Hospitals and medical centres. The plan then was that by 2001 all the Teaching Hospitals in Nigeria would have health informatics units which could make use of standardised software. Unfortunately, the system was not tested at OAUTHC and only five teaching hospitals and medical centres use the system as at 2007. The primary reason for this limited use is the cost of purchasing the commercial software (Idowu, et al. 2014). In 2003, a non-commercial software package called the State Hospital Network (SHONET) was developed for sharing of hospital resources over the computer network in Nigeria. The philosophy behind the development of the software was to minimize the cost of running state hospitals. In 2004, another system was developed at the Department of Computer Science & Engineering, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria. The system was designed for referral of patients from one hospital to another such that patient’s case file, referral note and medical examination result that were transferred manually from one hospital to another could be transferred over a computer network. Nigeria is witnessing continuing advocacy and increase in number of individuals yearning for computerization of health information and healthcare processes. On the other hand, the Government is evolving plans and strategies for the adoption and implementation of health information technology. To improve the use of ICT in healthcare delivery in the country, the Nigerian Government developed a 5-year Strategic plan on health with health information system taking a strategic position. The goal is to provide an effective National Health Management Information System (NHMIS) by all the governments of the Federation to be used as a management tool for informed decision making at all levels and for improved healthcare (Adeleke et al. 2015). In furtherance of her efforts to achieve the plan, the Government recognized the need to have a harmonized health information management through Health Information Technology (HIT). It was on this premise that the first National Conference on HIT was organized by the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) between November 2 and 4 2011. The focus of the conference was to have one harmonized health data management system and the specific objectives were to compile a list of health information system applications in use in the country, to review the interoperability of the existing systems, to review the Health Information Technology components of the country’s ehealth strategies and to propose strategies for the establishments of interoperability standards and capacity building. Subsequently, the National Council on Health in August 2013 approved the deployment of EHRs in all thirty six states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (Adeleke et al. 2015). Furthermore, in pursuance of plans to ensure Universal Health Coverage for all citizens by the year 2020 through leverage on the vast potentials of ICT, the FMoH through her National Health ICT Strategic Framework 2015-2020 intends to scale-up ICT infrastructure in all health facilities across the country to ensure they are in step with Health ICT and health system priorities (FMoH 2016a).



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