Assessment of Electronic Health Management Information System at University of Ghana Hospital

Abstract

Incorporation of Information and Communication Technology into healthcare system has electronically transformed the approaches to medical data collection, storage, retrieval and its management across all health institutions in the world. However, there has been a drift of focus from core issues pertaining to the preparation processes, benefits, challenges, and prospects of such transformative innovation in the health sector. This study therefore sought to examine such fundamental shift by focusing on the electronic health management information system at the University of Ghana Hospital at East Legon in Accra after two and half years of its implementation. The purpose was to examine the effectiveness of the implementation of the eHMIS adopted as a new EHR system for providing healthcare at the university hospital. The specific objectives were to evaluate prior assessment made before implementation, the benefits, and challenges of the eHMIS. To achieve these specified objectives, the study adopted interpretive design combined with qualitative methods to collate and analyze the primary data from 27 sampled health professionals who use the eHMIS system to render healthcare services. Findings revealed that the participants possess a general knowledge about health information system (HIS). Also, the university policy makers made well planned preparation towards the purchase and adoption of the eHMIS system at the University’s hospital at East Legon but there were some lapses. In spite of that, the use of the system has brought enormous benefits such as easiness, quickness, and simplicity to the accessibility of patients’ health records. Nonetheless, resolvable challenges identified included unstable internet service, intermittent power outages, and inadequate training. It was conclude that, the implementation of the eHMIS has been tremendously successful, which has brought benefits such as easiness, quickness, and simplistic accessibility to patients’ health records hence the prospects of the eHMIS is very optimistic when the recommendations that target the lapses and challenges are considered in the further review and use of the system. Recommendations made included the installation of uninterruptible power supply, and engagement of more ICT superintendents to offer assistantship to the health professionals who have no or limited ICT or computer skills and knowledge to use the system effectively and efficiently.