Influence Of Health Information Application System On Service Delivery To Patients In Moi Teaching &referral Hospital, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

Abstract

Health Information management system is one of the most potent investments a health institution can effectively improve its ability in the provision of health services to its patients. Service providers in a health care system require data for interpretation not only at the point of service but also at the point of decision-making in a format that maximizes the decision-making process. Despite marked progress in the health sector to use health information application systems over the past decades, Kenya continues to grapple with stimulating health problems and issues of health service delivery. This is due to limited data availability and quality within and between the statistical constituencies despite the emphasis on adoption of a health information application system which is systematic and of high-quality data collection. However, not all health institutions have adopted new data management systems in their facilities, thus impeding management of health records of patients. The study examined the influence of health information application system on service delivery to patients in Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The following specific objectives guided the study: to investigate how collection of data can influence record keeping of patients in the study area; determine how data analysis influences management of health records of patients in MTRH; establish how data warehousing can facilitate communication on management of patients health records in MTRH; and how data application influences the management of patients‟ health records in MTRH, Uasin Gishu County. This study was based on Kotter‟s change management theory that addresses the adoption of technological innovations in health institutions in his eight-stage process for transformational change. The study used a descriptive survey research design. The target population of the study was 773 employees of MTRH consisting of senior management, health records, audit and ICT. The study used questionnaires as the main method of data collection. Data was analyzed through quantitative analysis. Findings of the study were; health information application system through effective data collection, data analysis, data warehousing and data application influences service delivery to patients. Data application through clearly determined aim for collecting data, legality of the available data, clarification on data usage and identification of end-users and continuous patients‟ census improves data relevancy, consistency, accuracy and precision hence, positively influences service delivery to patients. The study recommended that effective data collection through adequate training and education of data entry clerks, adoption of appropriate data collection instruments should be enhanced; and efficient data warehousing through appropriate technology adoption, edits and continuous update of systems, tables and database. Further research should be done on the mediating effects on the relationship between health information system and service delivery to patients.