The Usability of Electronic Medical Record Systems Implemented in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Literature Review of the Evidence

Kavuma, Michael

doi:10.2196/humanfactors.9317

Cited by 22 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…The minimalist interface, ease of learning and use are the positive elements reported by users at the laboratory and ATC level that have facilitated its adoption. This is in agreement with Kavuma, which showed that ease of learning is the most important element in the adoption of electronic health record systems [15].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Construction of an exchange interface for the transmission of laboratory results: a case of the National Tuberculosis Center

Koné

Mian

Guede

et al. 2019

OJPHI

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IntroductionThe transmission of test results by laboratories and their receipt by health facilities are common tasks in the processing of medical information. Managing the flow of information generated by these tasks remains a challenge for these centers. We describe a new system that will allow electronic management adapted to the transmission of results.Materials and methodsThe information system implemented is a client-server system including three main components: the server installed in the laboratory, the client distributed in the AntiTuberculosis Center (ATC) and the communication channel represented by a Virtual Network. The exchange protocol is based on the HL7 standard, in particular by using messages of type ORU_R01. ResultsDuring the two months of implementation of this electronic result transmission system between the National Tuberculosis Reference Center in Abidjan and the ATC in Adzopé, which is about 110 kilometers away, twenty laboratory results were transmitted as soon as they left the laboratory, unlike the time is taken previously, which was about 1 month. The minimalist interface and ease of use of the system have allowed it to be adopted by users.Discussion The use of the HL7 protocol for electronic notifications has proven its effectiveness in making transmissions of results instantaneous. Our system developed specifically addresses the problems related to the transmission of its results; reduction of transmission time, loss of paper supports, transport costs for remote sites. This system is at this level of development a proprietary system by its type of coding. The use of a code system such as LOINC would allow full interoperability between different Information Systems.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Construction of an exchange interface for the transmission of laboratory results: a case of the National Tuberculosis Center

Koné

Mian

Guede

et al. 2019

OJPHI

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“…Digitisation of health data then begins with the summary data upload to DHIS2 by HRIOs 33 34. The use of paper-based health information systems as a precursor to digital data capture is the norm in sub-Saharan African hospitals 26 35 36. Studies on DHIS2 specific to Kenya show it is ‘technically sound’ and can be successfully deployed and has improved data accessibility and completeness of reporting 37–39.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Data for tracking SDGs: challenges in capturing neonatal data from hospitals in Kenya

et al. 2020

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BackgroundTarget 3.2 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is to reduce neonatal mortality. In low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), the District Health Information Software, V.2 (DHIS2) is widely used to help improve indicator data reporting. There are few reports on its use for collecting neonatal hospital data that are of increasing importance as births within facilities increase. To address this gap, we investigated implementation experiences of DHIS2 in LMICs and mapped the information flow relevant for neonatal data reporting in Kenyan hospitals.MethodsA narrative review of published literature and policy documents from LMICs was conducted. Information gathered was used to identify the challenges around DHIS2 and to map information flows from healthcare facilities to the national level. Two use cases explore how newborn data collection and reporting happens in hospitals. The results were validated, adjusted and system challenges identified.ResultsLiterature and policy documents report that DHIS2 is a useful tool with strong technical capabilities, but significant challenges can emerge with the implementation. Visualisations of information flows highlight how a complex, people-based and paper-based subsystem for inpatient information capture precedes digitisation. Use cases point to major challenges in these subsystems in accurately identifying newborn deaths and appropriate data for the calculation of mortality even in hospitals.ConclusionsDHIS2 is a tool with potential to improve availability of health information that is key to health systems, but it critically depends on people-based and paper-based subsystems. In hospitals, the subsystems are subject to multiple micro level challenges. Work is needed to design and implement better standardised information processes, recording and reporting tools, and to strengthen the information system workforce. If the challenges are addressed and data quality improved, DHIS2 can support countries to track progress towards the SDG target of improving neonatal mortality.

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“…Regarding the assessment of the level of completion of the patient records, the low proportion recorded for emergency services (28%) could be explained by the increased frequentation by patients requiring emergency care, so the providers' concern would be focused on the provision of care rather than on the correct filling in of patient information. 13,14 Normally, computerization of the patient record should improve the completion of the record. However, some studies have identified problems with the completion and completeness of computerized patient records.…”

Section: Assessment Of the Level Of Completion Of The Electronic Patient Recordmentioning

confidence: 99%

Structure and process of the patient records computerization project in hospitals of Burundi

Munezero¹,

Sossa²,

Nyandwi³

et al. 2021

Int J Community Med Public Health

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Background: The computerization of patient records is an essential catalyst for the hospital performance. In Burundi the first patient records were computerized in 2015. The objective of this study is to evaluate the implementation of this project in order to identify the challenges for its success. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in 11 hospitals. An assessment tool was used to collect data on the availability and organization of resources at the beginning of the project, on the process and on the completeness of patient records. The data collection was been done in February 2020.Results: The structure and process components were moderately satisfactory with mean scores of 53% and 51% respectively. Governance (21%) for structure component, and maintenance (44%) for process component were the elements with the lowest scores. Concerning the completeness of the records, the main diagnosis at discharge was completed for 68% of the records in the gynecological-obstetrical consultation service; 58% for the pediatric service; 55% for the adult consultation service and 28% for the emergency service. Hospitals that were computerized in 2015 compared to 2017 (OR: 12.5 [10.9 -14.4]) and district hospitals compared to regional and national hospitals (OR: 22.1 [19.3 -25.2]) were more likely to have patient records with diagnosis at discharge.Conclusions: Continued mobilization of resources, making available the guidelines for managing the electronic patient record and implementing strategies to strengthen the capacity of users will ensure the sustainability of the patient record computerization project.

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The Usability of Electronic Medical Record Systems Implemented in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Literature Review of the Evidence

Cited by 22 publications

References 19 publications

Construction of an exchange interface for the transmission of laboratory results: a case of the National Tuberculosis Center

Construction of an exchange interface for the transmission of laboratory results: a case of the National Tuberculosis Center

Data for tracking SDGs: challenges in capturing neonatal data from hospitals in Kenya

Structure and process of the patient records computerization project in hospitals of Burundi

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