HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEMS SIX COMPONENTS OF HEALTH INFORMATION

SYSTEM
HEALTH INFORMATICS - the application of both According to:
technology and systems in a healthcare setting. The Health Metrics Network (HMN)
a. Health Information Technology focuses on tools,
programs, and storage of data.
b. Health Information Systems cover the records, coding,
documentation, and administration of patient and
ancillary services.
OVERVIEW OF HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Health information systems refer to any system that “captures,
stores, manages or transmits information related to the health of
individuals or the activities of organizations that work within the
health sector.”
This definition encompasses: COMPONENTS OF HIS:
1. district level routine information 1. Health Information Systems Resources
systems These include the legislative, regulatory and
2. disease surveillance systems, planning frameworks required for a fully
3. laboratory information systems, functioning health information system, and the
4. hospital patient administration resources that are required for such a system to
systems (PAS) be functional includes:
5. human resource management A. Personnel
information systems (HRMIS) B. Financing
UTILIZATION OF HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEMS C. Logistics support
• Collection Policy D. Information and communications
• Processing Decision Making technology (ICT),
E. Coordinating mechanisms within and
• Report Program Action
between the six components
• Use Individual and Public Health Actions
Research 2. Indicators
ROLE AND FUNCTION OF HEALTH INFORMATION A core set of indicators and related
targets is the basis for a health
SYSTEMS information system plan and strategy.
1. Files Are Easier to Access Indicators need to encompass
Health information systems have revolutionized the determinants of health; health system
way that doctors and health care professionals inputs, outputs and outcomes; and
maintain patient information. These systems are health status
electronic, so the days of hard files and loose papers 3. Data Sources
are over. These can be divided into two main categories;
2. More Controls (1) population-based approaches (censuses, civil
A. Staff must be authorized to access the health registration and population surveys)
information system. (2) institution-based data (individual records,
B. Doctors may have permission to update, change service records and resource records).
and delete information from the electronic 4. Data Management
medical record. This covers all aspects of data handling from
C. Receptionist, however, may only have the collection, storage, quality-assurance and flow,
authority to update a patient’s appointments. to processing, compilation and analysis
3. Easy to Update 5. Information Products
Health information systems let doctors create Data must be transformed into information that
electronic medical records for their patients. Patient will become the basis for evidence and
information can be pulled up for review at any time knowledge to shape health action
and copies can be made for the patient upon request. 6. Dissemination and Use
4. Communication The value of health information is enhanced by
Health information systems support communication making it readily accessible to decision-makers
between multiple doctors or hospitals. According to and by providing incentives for, or otherwise
Government Health IT, medical professionals must pay facilitating, information use
close attention to confidentiality issues, such as
patient privacy and security safeguards to ensure
unauthorized users cannot access the information.
 DATA SOURCES FOR HEALTH
INFORMATION SYSTEM

Demographic Data age (or birth date), gender, race and ethnic origin, marital status, address of
residence, names of and other information about immediate family
members, and emergency information, information about employment
status (and employer), schooling and education
Administrative Data a. services provided (e.g., diagnostic tests or outpatient procedures) and
also typically include
b. charges and amounts paid,
c. the kind of practitioner (physician, podiatrist, psychologist),
d. physician specialty, and
e. nature of institution (general or specialty hospital, physician office or
clinic, home care agency, nursing, home, and so forth)
Health Risk Information a. lifestyle and behavior (e.g., whether an individual uses tobacco product
or engages regularly in strenuous exercise)
b. facts about family history and genetic factors to evaluate propensity for
different diseases
Patient Medical History a. data on previous medical encounters such as hospital admissions,
surgical procedures, pregnancies and live births, and the like
b. information on past medical problems and possibly family history or
events (e.g., alcoholism or prenatal divorce)
Current Medical Management a. health screening, current health problems and diagnoses, allergies
(especially those to medications)
b. diagnostic or therapeutic procedures performed,
c. laboratory tests carried out
d. medications prescribed
e. counseling provided
Outcome Data a. effects of health care and the aftermath of various health problems;
b. they might reflect health care events such as re-admission to hospital or
unexpected complications or side effects of care, and also include measures
of satisfaction with care.

* Outcomes assessed weeks or months after health care events, and by