Introduction
In recent years, Electronic
Health Records (EHRs) have been implemented by an ever increasing number of hospitals
around the world. EHR implementation initiatives tend to be driven by the
promise of enhanced integration and availability of patient data, by the need
to improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness, by a changing doctor-patient
relationship toward one where care is shared by a team of health care
professionals, and/or by the need to deal with a more complex and rapidly
changing environment.
Health Records (EHRs) have been implemented by an ever increasing number of hospitals
around the world. EHR implementation initiatives tend to be driven by the
promise of enhanced integration and availability of patient data, by the need
to improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness, by a changing doctor-patient
relationship toward one where care is shared by a team of health care
professionals, and/or by the need to deal with a more complex and rapidly
changing environment.
EHR systems have various forms, and the term can
relate to a broad range of electronic information systems used in health care.
EHR systems can be used in individual organizations, as interoperating systems
in affiliated health care units, on a regional level, or nationwide. Health
care units that use EHRs include hospitals, pharmacies, general practitioner
surgeries, and other health care providers. The implementation of hospital-wide
EHR systems is a complex matter involving a range of organizational and technical
factors including human skills, organizational structure, culture, technical
infrastructure, financial resources, and coordination. Experts argue,
implementing information systems (IS) in hospitals is more challenging than
elsewhere because of the complexity of medical data, data entry problems,
security and confidentiality concerns, and a general lack of awareness of the
benefits of Information Technology (IT).
relate to a broad range of electronic information systems used in health care.
EHR systems can be used in individual organizations, as interoperating systems
in affiliated health care units, on a regional level, or nationwide. Health
care units that use EHRs include hospitals, pharmacies, general practitioner
surgeries, and other health care providers. The implementation of hospital-wide
EHR systems is a complex matter involving a range of organizational and technical
factors including human skills, organizational structure, culture, technical
infrastructure, financial resources, and coordination. Experts argue,
implementing information systems (IS) in hospitals is more challenging than
elsewhere because of the complexity of medical data, data entry problems,
security and confidentiality concerns, and a general lack of awareness of the
benefits of Information Technology (IT).
Statement of Problem
To ensure efficiency in the
management of patients’ health records in Ughelli Central Hospital, there is an
urgent need for that ever to implement the electronic health records in the management
and treatment of patients in the hospital. Electronic health records helps in
adequate management of patient medical data, data entry problems, collection of
admission information, discharge information, preoperative information,
postoperative information, maternity information, etc.
management of patients’ health records in Ughelli Central Hospital, there is an
urgent need for that ever to implement the electronic health records in the management
and treatment of patients in the hospital. Electronic health records helps in
adequate management of patient medical data, data entry problems, collection of
admission information, discharge information, preoperative information,
postoperative information, maternity information, etc.
In line with this,
the researcher is carrying out this research on implementing electronic health
records system in Ughelli Central Hospital by analysing the prospects and
challenges in its implementation.
the researcher is carrying out this research on implementing electronic health
records system in Ughelli Central Hospital by analysing the prospects and
challenges in its implementation.
General Objective of the Study
The general objective of this study is to look into
implementing electronic health records system in Ughelli Central Hospital:
Prospects and Challenges.
implementing electronic health records system in Ughelli Central Hospital:
Prospects and Challenges.
Specific Objective Objectives of the Study
i.
To find
out if electronic health records is used in the management of health records in
Ughelli Central Hospital.
ii.
To
determine if there are adequate measures put in place to ensure that electronic
health records are successfully implemented in Ughelli Central Hospital.
iii.
To highlight challenges faced in Ughelli
Central Hospital in implementing electronic health records
iv.
To find
out solutions to problems faced Ughelli Central Hospital in the implementation
of electronic health records.
Questionnaire
Section A: Personal Data
Department:__________________________________
Gender: Male ( )
Female ( )
Female ( )
Working Experience: 1-5 years (
) 6-10 years ( ) 11-20 years
( ) 21 years and above ( ).
) 6-10 years ( ) 11-20 years
( ) 21 years and above ( ).
Section B: Questions
1.
Are you
aware of the term referred to as electronic health record system? Yes [ ] No [
].
Are you
aware of the term referred to as electronic health record system? Yes [ ] No [
].
2.
Is
electronic health records system used in Ughelli Central Hospital? Yes
[ ] No [ ].
Is
electronic health records system used in Ughelli Central Hospital? Yes
[ ] No [ ].
3.
Do health
care givers in Ughelli Central Hospital used electronic health records in the
management of patients’ health records? Yes [
] No [ ].
Do health
care givers in Ughelli Central Hospital used electronic health records in the
management of patients’ health records? Yes [
] No [ ].
4.
Is the
management of Ughelli Central Hospital keen about the use of electronic health
records in the management of patients’ health records? Yes [ ] No [
].
Is the
management of Ughelli Central Hospital keen about the use of electronic health
records in the management of patients’ health records? Yes [ ] No [
].
5.
Are there
computers in health records department of Ughelli Central Hospital? Yes [ ] No
[ ].
Are there
computers in health records department of Ughelli Central Hospital? Yes [ ] No
[ ].
6.
Do health
records professionals in Ughelli Central Hospital use computers in the
management of patients’ health records? Yes [
] No [ ].
Do health
records professionals in Ughelli Central Hospital use computers in the
management of patients’ health records? Yes [
] No [ ].
7.
Do health
records officers in Ughelli Central Hospital complain of challenges in the use
of electronic health records? Yes [ ]
No [ ].
Do health
records officers in Ughelli Central Hospital complain of challenges in the use
of electronic health records? Yes [ ]
No [ ].
8.
Are the
health care givers in Ughelli Central Hospital Adequately trained on the use of
electronic health records system? Yes
[ ] No [ ].
Are the
health care givers in Ughelli Central Hospital Adequately trained on the use of
electronic health records system? Yes
[ ] No [ ].
9.
Are the computers
in different department linked to one another through the intranet? Yes [ ] No [
].
Are the computers
in different department linked to one another through the intranet? Yes [ ] No [
].
10.
Can the
provision of adequate telecommunication equipment in Ughelli Central Hospital
help in the maintenance of adequate electronic health records? Yes [ ]
No [ ].
Can the
provision of adequate telecommunication equipment in Ughelli Central Hospital
help in the maintenance of adequate electronic health records? Yes [ ]
No [ ].
11.
Can regular
seminars and workshop on electronic health record system help in reducing
challenges faced by health care givers in Ughelli Central Hospital? Yes [ ] No [
].
Can regular
seminars and workshop on electronic health record system help in reducing
challenges faced by health care givers in Ughelli Central Hospital? Yes [ ] No [
].
12.
Can
government policies on electronic health records help in improving electronic
health records management in Ughelli Central Hospital? Yes [ ] No [
].
Can
government policies on electronic health records help in improving electronic
health records management in Ughelli Central Hospital? Yes [ ] No [
].