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Introduction
The creation of an information system using Web Technology, a Centralized Warehouse, and Data Mining allows a completely integrated system.
Since all data can be collected using Web Technology and stored in one location, it is possible to create a critical mass of High Level Human Resources by assembling them into a "super team" built around this Centralized Data Warehouse.
Top ranked statisticians can be placed in one location. There would be no need to duplicate jobs or functions across levels.
This organizational unit should include the following:
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High level managers
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High level researchers
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High level computer resources
These resources can be located anywhere in the world and can be used to remotely control the clients.
Many organizations in developed countries have spend large amounts of money and time trying to protect their older systems and procedures. Because most developing countries, in general, have not made these large investments in older systems and technology, they have nothing to protect. This is a big advantage in implementing any new system. Developing countries can “leap ahead” of developed countries by not tying themselves down to their older technology--so long as the donor organizations recognize the advantages.
We had started out by listing the benefits of a good information system in several different places. This page is an attempt to "organization" the list and in particular to list the benefits of an integrated system.
General Benefits
- Data is standardized
- Quality of data collected improved
- No redundant data entry
- Identify and Target Populations
- Sharing of data
- Immediate Access to data
- Speed up processes
- Better Research
A full discussion on each benefit is found in their respective sections.
Example1:
In one study, it was determined that clinical workers in
family planning could do a more comprehensive examination if they had a
“written plan” to follow. This plan was a list of procedures to follow and
questions to ask. According to the research clinical Professional without the plan,
would only cover approximately 35% of the questions that should have been
asked. Clinical Professionals with the plan were covering over 95% of the needed
procedures. After a short time using this plan, it was determined that the
workers learned the procedures more thoroughly and soon only needed to view
the plan to check to be sure that they had not forgotten a question or
procedure.
Example2:
In one family planning center, a card file was created
for each patient. In was determined that by using these cards for references,
when patients returned, a more complete diagnosis of the patients could be
obtained. The files enabled the clinical worker to accumulate information and
examine long-term trends on individual patients. What was missing from this
card system, however, was the ability to accumulate information over “all”
patients. To obtain statistics from the large amount of data available, by
hand-calculation, required a significant amount of time and repeated
“passes” through the data. This often took long time periods of
time to complete; it would only be done when the staff were not busy, and
included many errors. It was
determined that with the money that was spend on the index cards, filing
cabinets, paper, and labor to obtain the statistics, a computer could have
been purchased that would allowed the clinic to obtain better quality data in
a more timely manner.
Example3
In one hospital that was keeping statistics on patient care, a team of coders
was hired to review the written records of the patient records and to code
this data in order for it to be analyzed. More coders were hired to do the
coding than the nurses that were required to care for the patients! Collection
and coding of the data after the event is extremely expensive. If data is
coded when the clinical data is first taken, it is more accurate and cheaper
to do.
Example 4
Tracking drug use by patients is an important quality of care issue in
health care organizations. In one hospital, although very good records were
kept of patients, these records were kept in a room some distance away from
the hospital. These records were never seen again once they went to this room.
Many returning patients were receiving multi doses of antibiotics without any
controls.
Example 5
In one
country, it was InHCc's task to estimate the savings in cost of merging the Family
Planning unit with the Mother and Child Health section. The first step was to
calculate the resources that were available. That seemed easy. Just add up the
facilities and personnel in each location. However, I later found out that the
personnel that were reported in each location were not really there. It seems
that new medical doctors were assigned to rural clinics but soon left to the
big city. No checks were every made so it was impossible to estimate the staff
at each location.