HIS: Lesson 5 - Health Information Systems

Health Information Systems

Refer to any system that “captures, stores, manages or transmits information related to the health of individuals or the activities of organizations that work within the health sector.”

Roles and Functions of HIS

• Files are easier to access

• More Control

• Easy Update

• Communications

Files are easier to access

These systems are electronic, so the days of hard files and loose papers are over

More Control

• Only authorized staff can access the information of the patient

• Doctors may have permission to update, change and delete information from the electronic medical record.

• The receptionist, however, may only have the authority to update a patient’s appointments.

Easy Update

• Health information systems let doctors create electronic medical records for their patients.

• Patient information can be pulled up for review at any time and copies can be made for the patient upon request.

Communications

• Health information systems abet communication between multiple doctors or hospitals.

• According to Government Health IT, medical professionals must pay close attention to confidentiality issues, such as patient privacy and security safeguards to ensure unauthorized users cannot access the information.

Components of Health Information System

The Health Metrics Network (HMN), in their Framework and Standards for Country Health Information Systems (2008), has defined a Health Information System as consisting of six components.

Health Metrics Network (HMN)

In their Framework and Standards for Country Health Information Systems (2008), has defined a Health Information System as consisting of six components.

Six Components of Health Information System

1. Health Information Systems Resources

2. Indicators

3. Data Sources

4. Data Management

5. Information Products

6. Dissemination and Use

Health Information Systems Resources

These include the legislative, regulatory and planning frameworks required for a fully functioning health information system, and the resources that are required for such a system to be functional.

Indicators

• A core set of indicators and related targets is the basis for a health information system plan and strategy.

• Need to encompass determinants of health; health system inputs, outputs and outcomes; and health status.

Data Sources

These can be divided into two main categories:

• Population-based approaches (censuses, civil registration and population surveys)

• Institution-based data (individual records, service records and resource records)

Data Management

This covers all aspects of data handling from collection, storage, quality-assurance and flow, to processing, compilation and analysis.

Information Products

Data must be transformed into basis information that will become the for evidence and knowledge to shape health action.

Dissemination and Use

The value of health information is enhanced by making it readily accessible to decision-makers and by providing incentives for, or otherwise facilitating, information use.

Data Sources for Health Information System

1. Demographic Data

2. Administrative Data

3. Health Risk Information

4. Health Status

5. Patient Medical History

6. Current Medical Management

7. Outsource Data

Demographic Data

Consist of facts such as age (or birth date), gender, race and ethnic origin, marital status, address of residence, names of and other information about immediate family members, and emergency information. Information about employment status (and employer), schooling and education.

Administrative Data

Involves facts, with respect to services provided (e.g., diagnostic tests or outpatient procedures), and also typically include charges and amounts paid, the kind of practitioner (physician, podiatrist, psychologist), physician specialty, and nature of institution (general or specialty hospital, physician office or clinic, home care agency, nursing home, and so forth.

Health Risk Information

• Reveals lifestyle and behavior (e.g., whether an individual uses tobacco products or engages regularly in strenuous exercise)

• Facts about family history and genetic factors to evaluate patient’s propensity for different diseases

Health Status

Is generally reported by individuals themselves, reflects domains of health such as physical functioning, mental and emotional well-being, cognitive functioning, social and role functioning, and perceptions of one's health in the past, present, and future and compared with that of one's peers.

Patient Medical History

• Considers data on previous medical encounters such as hospital admissions, surgical procedures, pregnancies and live births, and the like

• It also includes information on past medical problems and possibly family history or events (e.g., alcoholism or parental divorce)

Current Medical Management

Includes the content of encounter forms or parts of the patient record. Such information might reflect health screening, current health problems and diagnoses, allergies (especially those to medications), diagnostic or therapeutic procedures performed, laboratory tests carried out, medications prescribed, and counseling provided

Outsource Data

• Comprise a wide array of measures of the effects of health care and the aftermath of various health problems

• They might reflect health care events such as re-admission to hospital or unexpected complications or side effects of care, and also include measures of satisfaction with care.

• Outcomes assessed weeks or months after health care events, and by means of reports directly from individuals (or family members), are desirable, although these are likely to be the least commonly available (Donaldson and Lohr, 1994).

Donaldson and Lohr, 1994

Outcomes assessed weeks or months after health care events, and by means of reports directly from individuals (or family members), are desirable, although these are likely to be the least commonly available.