Health Information Systems (HIS)

Health information systems refer to any system that captures, stores, manages or transmits information related to the health of individuals or the activities of organisations that work within the health sector. This definition incorporates things such as district level routine information systems, disease surveillance systems, and also includes laboratory information systems, hospital patient administration systems (PAS) and human resource management information systems (HRMIS). Overall, a well-functioning HIS is an integrated effort to collect, process, report and use health information and knowledge to influence policy and decision-making, programme action, individual and public health outcomes, and research. Sound decision-making at all levels of a health system requires reliable health statistics that are disaggregated by sex, age and socioeconomic characteristics. At a policy level, decisions informed by evidence contribute to more efficient resource allocation and, at the delivery level, information about the quality and effectiveness of services can contribute to better outcomes.

Information systems, particularly at lower levels of the health system (closer to the collection source), need to be simple and sustainable and not overburden health delivery staff or be too costly to run. Staff need feedback on how the routine data they collect can be used and also need to understand the importance of good quality data for improving health. Capacity building is required to ensure policymakers at all levels have the ability to use and interpret health data, whether it originates from routine systems, health surveys or special operational research. It is also important that health system staff understand the significance of local data for local program management, and that their needs for strengthened capacity for critical health statistical analysis are met. Local use of data collected at lower levels of the health system is a key step for improving overall data quality. Furthermore, aggregate patient information collected at various points of service delivery and made interoperable with routine HIS improves the quality and use of health information.

1.     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. Such resources involve personnel, financing, logistics support, information and communications technology (ICT), and coordinating mechanisms within and between the six components

2.     Indicators

A core set of indicators and related targets is the basis for a health information system plan and strategy. Indicators need to encompass determinants of health; health system inputs, outputs and outcomes; and health status

3.     Data Sources

These can be divided into two main categories; (1) population-based approaches (censuses, civil registration and population surveys) and (2) institution-based data (individual records, service records and resource records). A number of data-collection approaches and sources do not fit into either of the above main categories but can provide important information that may not be available elsewhere. These include occasional health surveys, research, and information produced by community based organisations

4.     Data Management

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

5.     Information Products

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

6.     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.

Source taken from: http://phinnetwork.org/resources/health-information-systems-his/