It’s interesting how so many ideas have been documented and visualized about improving the health sector in Uganda, while ignoring the fact that an improved health sector starts with health providers being able to work more efficiently and effectively.
This involves proper documentation of patient records, proper data storage, and proper feedback mechanisms in order to create a smooth information flow.
Most of the current processes are often manual and more laborious than they need to be. This causes greater inefficiencies, longer turn-around time, loss of revenue due to inaccurate compilations, inability to archive data for future use, and poor allocation of resources.
Well developed health information systems that are based on the idea of sharing critical information can assist areas of operation in the health sector. I am currently working as an IT systems fellow at Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC), a non-profit organization that was founded in 1991 to address the challenges of HIV/AIDS in Uganda. JCRC is one of the largest antiretroviral therapy (ART) centers in Uganda. Currently, it has the most advanced reference laboratory for other HIV/AIDS partners in the country with capacity to do sophisticated tests required for ART monitoring and detection of resistance to antiretroviral (ARV) drugs.
In order to achieve the success that it has, JCRC embarked on upgrading of its health systems and boosted its capacity to handle as many clients as possible. As a fellow I am proud to be a part of the team; creating a positive change in the Ugandan health sector.
It was quickly realized that these new health systems assist in keeping track of patients, clinic productivity and patient adherence to scheduled appointments. By keeping track of this information, it is easier to develop an overview of the patient population and an understanding of the finances of both patients and the clinic.
These systems also provide data regarding quality measures because services such as vaccinations and procedures performed within the practice can be tracked easily. Clinicians and doctors are also able to enter their notes into the system and to be able to document procedures and interventions performed in the office. Additionally, prescriptions may be written within the system and sent to pharmacies electronically, tests may be ordered, and test results may be received electronically for clinician review and action. Paper documents often can be scanned into the system so that hard copies of outside reports can be included in a patient’s medical record.
Outlining Health Personnel Performance Measures and Quality Improvement Plans are key to developing strategies to improve care, administrative work, and reduce variation in the delivery of care and services.