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/
