ATTITUDE OF HEALTH RECORD OFFICERS TOWARDS THE USE OF ELECTRONIC SYSTEM IN MANAGING PATIENTS INFORMATION.
A CASE STUDY OF UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT TEACHING HOSPITAL [UPTH] PORT HARCOURT, RIVER STATE
ABSTRACT: This study examines the attitude of health record officers towards the use of the electronic systems in the management of patients’ information at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State.
It is a descriptive survey design. The objectives are to determine the attitude of health record officers towards the use of electronic, to identify the level of training received by health records officers on electronic health record management. A questionnaire based on the descriptive study was the main instrument used to collect data from the respondents in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and the sampling method was done randomly. A total number of 195 questionnaires were distributed to the respondents in line with the population size determined through the probability statistical technique.
85 (47.22%) were males while 95 (52.77%) were females. The questionnaires were analyzed by a simple percentage frequency technique. The result shows that health record officers are not trained to handle electronic system, hence the electronic health record system is not effectively practiced it also reveals that the respondents of the study population are not computer literate. Based on the above findings, recommendations were made. These include: Healthcare providers should ensure that the effective use of the electronic system is enhanced by effectively training of health record officers, they should be adequately mobilized.
They should also accept electronic use in managing patients information as easy access to patients record effective/quality treatment is obtained through the use of electronic systems.
Keywords: attitudes, health, record, officers, electronic, patient health record, management, and the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.
CHAPTER ONE
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The electronic health record (EHR) is a longitudinal electronic record of patient health information generated by one or more encounters in any health care delivery setting.
Electronic Health Record is a record in digital format that is capable of being shared across different health care settings which takes place or occurs by way of networking systems. Electronic health records may include a range of data including demographics, medical history, medication, allergies, immunization status, laboratory test results, radiology images, vital signs, personal status like age, weight and billing information, etc. (Gary, 2013).
Electronic health records as perceived by health care providers promote the efficiency and quality of care. Just like any other record-keeping, moving patient’s records from paper and physical filing systems to computers and their super storage capabilities create great efficiencies for patients and their providers as well as health payment systems. Important medical conditions and other aspects of patient’s medical history can be accounted for much more quickly. It also saves time at the doctor’s office.
At most, quick access to patient’s records can be life-saving if an emergency occurs. Enhancing care coordination, such as when a primary health care physician has the patient history they need to follow after a hospital discharge which is shown to reduce the cost of hospital re-admissions.it reduces the chances of data replication and when viewed later date and eliminates the issue of lost forms or paper works. Due to the information that is in a single file, it also makes it more effective when extracting medical data for the examination of possible trends and long term damages in the patient
Gary (2013), reported that new models of health information technology are unveiled and more federal support is committed to their promotion, we gain a clearer vision of what health care could and probably should look like in the not so distant future. The system is designed to capture the state of the patient at all times. It allows for an entire patient history to be viewed without the need to track down the patient’s previous medical record volume and assist in ensuring that data is accurate, appropriate and legible.
“Over-coming modern medicines greatest obstacles to first-rate medical care simultaneously enhance the quality of care and improved professional satisfaction among physicians”(Archis, 2013).
Friedberg (2013), reported that many things attract physician professional stratification, but a common theme is that physicians describe feeling stressed and unhappy when they see barriers preventing them from providing quality care. He believed in the benefits of electronic health records, and most do not want to go back to paper charts
The United States 10m report, key capabilities of an electronic health records system, identified an asset of eight(8) core care delivery functions that electronic health records systems should be capable of performing in order to promote greater care delivery. Health information and data, result management, order management, decision support, electronic communication and connectivity, patient support, administrative process and reporting (Tang et al., 2003).
The implication of those attitudes will result in patients viewing their medical records, delay for record completion, misplacement of the document and lack of security.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The researcher observed on investigation that the negative attitudes of health records officers towards the use of electronic system in the management of patients information in University Of Port-Harcourt Teaching Hospital(UPTH) Port-Harcourt, Rivers State has been in existence since the innovation of electronic health information management system, and this was as a result of health records officers not have undergone computer practical training in course of their programmed as Health Information Management(HIM)Personnel. It was also discovered that health information managers are not abreast of the electronic systems and have not availed themselves with computer training programmed. Moreover, negative attitudes of health record officers towards enriching their knowledge in the electronic system of patients information management have been the major causes of a patient not receiving quality and efficient care from health care providers. Why this negative attitude towards embracing technology? These and many other issues prompted this work.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The purpose of this study is to determine the attitude of health records officers at the University Of Port-Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) towards Electronic Patients Health Records Management.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This research work would be of great importance to patients, health records officers, the government, non-governmental organizations with the following benefits to be derived. It will also enlighten and educate the reader on the attitudes of health records officers towards the use of electronic systems of managing patients’ information. It will also bring to limelight the thought and feelings of health officers towards electronic systems of managing patient’s information. This research will further expose the negative practice and attitude of health records officers towards electronic system of managing patient’s information. Finally, the ideas that would be suggested and recommended in this project would definitely stimulate individuals, government and non-governmental special programs and seminars on the attitude of health records officers towards electronic systems of managing patient’s information.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The objective of the study is to find out the attitude of health records officers towards the use of the electronic systems in managing patient’s information in UPTH.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The specific objective of this research is;
- To identify the socio-demographic characteristics of respondents.
- To ascertain the attitudes of health records officers towards the use of the electronic systems in the managing of patients information.
- To identify the factors that encourage or discourages them from using electronic system.
- To find out if the trained health records officers practice electronic patients health records management.
- To identify the level of training received by health records officers on electronic health records management.
RESEARCH QUESTION
From the specific objective of the study, the following questions were derived.
- Do health records officers have knowledge of electronic patient’s health records management?
- Do health records officers train towards electronic patient health records management?
- What are the health records officer’s attitudes towards electronic patient’s health records management?
- What are the factors that led to these negative attitudes of health record officers toward the use of the electronic systems in managing patient’s health information?
HYPOTHESIS OF THE STUDY
- There will be no significant difference between the educational attainments of the respondents and the use of an electronic system for the patient’s health information management.
- There will be no significant difference between the age of health records officers and the use of electronic systems.
- There will be no significant difference between the sex of the respondents and the use of electronic systems
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This research is limited to a specific hospital environment (i.e. University Of Port-Harcourt Teaching Hospital) in Rivers State. It is mainly concerned with the attitudes of health records officers towards the use of the electronic systems in managing patients information basically with the factors that predisposed with the effects on patients.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
- ATTITUDE
It is the way that you behave toward somehow you think and feel either for good or bad.
- ELECTRONIC
is a device that is operating with components such as microchips and transistors that control and direct electronic currents.
- HEALTH
according to world health organization (who) is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being of an individual not merely absence from disease but infertility.
- SYSTEM
is a set of things working together as parts of a mechanism or an interconnecting network, and a complete whole.
- INFORMATION
is a fact provided or learned about some things or someone or it is conveyed that represented by a particular arrangement of things.
- MANAGEMENT
is the process of dealing with or controlling things or people.
- OFFICER
a person holding a position of authority especially one with a commission in the armed services.
- PATIENCE
A person receiving or registered to receive medical treatment.
- RECORD
Is a thing constituting a piece of evidence about that past, especially an account kept in writing or some other permanent form
Ummu kulsum Muhammad Ibrahim –
Use of EHR in HIM