Factors Influencing Implementation of Health Management Information System in Public Hospitals: a Case of Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital, Meru County, Kenya

Abstract

An efficient and effective Health Management Information System (HMIS) is critical to both the healthcare system and to people’s health by providing the system and data central for policy planning, setting of targets and policy implementation challenges. For sustainability, HMIS must consider local settings when being designed. The significance of a Health Management Information System (HMIS) cannot be neglected because health policies and planning in any country generally depend on the accurate and timely information on various health issues. Health information is information about people’s health and what they, government, and others are doing about it. It explains the occurrence, frequency, and reasons of major diseases, as well as accessibility and efficiency of curative activities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that influence the implementation of the Health Management Information System (HMIS) in Public hospitals in Kenya with a case study of Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital. The target population of the study was 245 of whom 152 were interviewed. A total of 125 questionnaires were returned with 1 poorly filled and 26 others not returned. The objectives were: to determine the influence of technological factors on the implementation of HMIS at MTRH, to determine the influence of managerial factors on the implementation of HMIS at MTRH, to determine the influence of operational factors on the implementation of HMIS at MTRH and lastly to determine the influence of organizational factors on the implementation of HMIS at MTRH. The study was carried out in Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital where the Health Management Information System (IQ Care) was rolled out in 2015 to enhance Health care delivery. The research study adopted a descriptive research design with the use of questionnaires and interviews as primary tools for data collection. The research questions were generated from the objectives. The findings of the study indicated a positive correlation between the independent variables which are; technological factors, managerial factors and operational factors and the dependent variable which was HMIS implementation. The data collected was coded and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 and inferential analysis carried out. This study recommended to the national and county government to ensure that they follow due process on System analysis and design, engage highly experienced project managers to spearhead HMIS projects, engage key stakeholders during system requirements definition who will more likely interact with the system on a regular basis and finally pull together all necessary resources that may be required to ensure implementation process.