Health Information System Implementations Discussion

Discuss the project management considerations that healthcare leaders need so that Health Information System implementations are delivered successfully. Discuss the involvement of the end-users needed in the planning and implementation of these systems to achieve functionality and usability.

A well-functioning HIS is an integrated effort to collect, process, report and use health information to influence policy and programme decision-making. At a policy level, decisions informed by evidence contribute to more efficient use of resources and, at the delivery level, provide information about the quality and effectiveness of services.
A well-functioning HIS should:

Generate and compile information from service delivery points to district level routine information systems, disease surveillance systems, and also laboratory/procurement information systems, hospital patient administration systems and human resource management information systems
Detect events that threaten public health security
Analyse,  synthesise and communicate information for use in planning and implementation
Better measurement and accountability for results Figure: The Six Components of a Health Information System; Health Metrics Network; ‘Framework and Standards for Country Health Information Systems ‘WHO 2012ResourcesIndicatorsData sourcesData management Information products Dissemination and use1

 

Health information system resources: These consist of the legislative, regulatory, and planning frameworks required to ensure a fully functioning HIS and the resources that are required for such a system to be functional, such as personnel, financing, information and communications technology (ICT) etc.

2
Indicators: A core set of indicators and related targets is the basis for an HIS plan and strategy. Indicators need to encompass determinants of health, health system inputs, outputs, and outcomes, and health status.

3
Data sources: including population-based approaches (censuses, surveys and civil registration) and institution-based data (individual records, service records, and resource records). Additional information from occasional health surveys, research, and information produced by community-based organizations (CBOs).

4
Data management: collection, storage, quality-assurance, flow, processing, compilation, and analysis of data.

5
Information products: Data must be transformed into information that will become the basis for evidence and decision making.

6
Dissemination and use: The value of health information can be enhanced by making it readily accessible to decision makers.