P2. MLS 030 SAS 8

defined by the World Health Organization (2004)

a Health Management Information System (HMIS) is an information system

specially designed to assist in the management and planning of health programs, as opposed to delivery of care. An HMIS is one

of the six building blocks essential for health system strengthening. It is a data collection system specifically designed to support

planning, management, and decision making in health facilities and organizations.

Provide quality information

– give accurate, updated, and reliable data.

Support decision-making

– help doctors, nurses, hospital managers, and even government health officials make better choices.

Encourage data use

– make sure hospitals and clinics don’t just collect data, but actually use it.

Set and check performance targets

– help healthcare leaders know if they’re meeting their goals (like patient care, hospital

efficiency, or national health programs).

Complete

- It should provide information on all key aspects of the health system without duplication.

Consistent

- If similar information is provided by different sources, their definitions need to be consistent.

Clear

- It should be very clear what all the elements are actually measuring.

Simple

– It should not be unnecessarily complicated.

Cost – effective

– The actual usage of each element should justify the costs of its collection.

Accessible

– Data should be held in a form readily accessible to all legitimate users and it should be clear whoe these people are.

Confidential

– It should ensure that people without ligitimate access are effectively denied.

Data Acquisition

- Collecting data from different sources.

Example: A nurse entering patient details (name, age, symptoms)

during registration.

Data Verification

Checking if the data is correct and complete.

Example: Making sure the patient’s birthdate is not left blank, or

avoiding duplicate records.

Data Storage

- Keeping the data safe in the system.

Example: Patient medical records are stored in a secure hospital database.

Data Classification

-Organizing data into categories.

Example: Grouping patients by illness (dengue cases, flu cases, COVID

cases).

Data Computation

-Processing or analyzing data to make it useful.

Example: Automatically calculating the number of patients treated in a week,

or the average waiting time in the ER.

Data Update

- Keeping information current.

Example: If a patient’s address changes or if medicine stock levels are updated,

the system reflects the latest information.

Data Retrieval

-Getting specific information when needed.`

Example: A doctor searches for a patient’s past lab results.

Data Presentation 

Showing information in a useful format.

Example: Dashboards, charts, or reports showing the number of admitted

patients, available beds, or medicine stock status.

PRISM

It’s a framework (or guide) used to analyze and improve how health information systems (like HMIS) work.

Technical Determinants

About the tools and processes used to collect and manage data.

Includes forms, systems, methods, and processes.

Example: If the data collection form is too complicated, staff may make errors or leave blanks.

Real-life case: A hospital using outdated paper forms instead of a digital system may struggle with delays and errors.

Organizational/Environmental Determinants

About the structure and culture of the health system.

Includes information culture, leadership, resources, roles, and responsibilities.

Example: A hospital with limited computers or internet access can’t fully use HMIS, no matter how skilled the staff are.