Hospital Information Systems(HMIS) – all you need to know

Hospital Information / Management Systems refers to a centralised system that digitally manages the:

1. Administration
2. Clinical Data
3. Financial aspects of an institution.

With the use of modern technology H I S / H M S in hospitals can be clearly applied to suit

the preferences of clinics, hospitals, practices. These systems cater for the following specialty departments

• Imaging
• Infusion
• Inventory and Supplies Management
• Pathology
• Surgery and Theatre
• Ward and Bed Management etc.

and subsequent functionalities for these departments

• Billing
• Document Management specifically medical records
• Electronic patient Records (EPS)
• Communication
• E-pharmacy and prescriptions
• Patient Administration and Scheduling (PAS)
• Telemedicine  

A comprehensive approach with regards to hospital information management should allow for more on-the-ground co-ordination, bearing in mind that the core objective is to provide efficient, quality healthcare to patients.

Maximising the achievement of such core objectives can be realised when modern technology is utilised to:

• Reduce notation errors: This enhances information integrity especially in areas of duplication and transcription errors. Digital in-put of patient medical information with regards prescriptions, tests, diagnoses, results, doses, and so forth, will be in an easily readable and understandable format.
• Reduce dependency on staff to find files etc.: Computers react at the touch of a finger to locate and pull up the required file. This will allow staff to focus more on their patients and their needs, whether in person, or on the computer / mobile. Good personal inter-action is at the heart of maintaining patient loyalty.
• Reduce time taken to find relevant patient information: With the use of a digitised system, doctors and specialists can quickly ‘drill-down’ to the relevant information needed to perform their important healthcare assessment on their patients. Transferring files to other clinics, doctors, specialists etc., will also become more efficient and can be an effective tool in cases of emergencies, in order to make on-the-spot, critical decisions.
• Reduce un-authorised access to information, patient files: Several Levels of security are used to ensure that patient files are kept in strict confidence. Only those persons who are duly authorised to access certain files or information can do so. A strong Cyber-Security system is of paramount importance in protecting confidentiality.
• Reduce vulnerability to legal issues through carefully documented processes: Double protection applies as each party receives protection through un-ambiguous instructions or prescriptions etc. that are clearly and distinctly noted for the records, via the use of digitised technology.
• Reduce and transform once laborious tasks: Once laborious tasks are converted into easy and efficient parts of the patient-care process. From initial registration to final billing, to discharge, to allocation of beds, specialty services, etc., these duties become a faster process thanks to digitisation.

The digital approach to hospital management allows managers to micro and macro – manage their departments on the human front, the financial front, the information front, the technical front. In-put and out-put becomes a more pro-active approach with a digitalised Information and Management processes.

For more information on a digitised medical technology system, please visit our website or feel free to contact us to discuss these options.  Our flagship product – Cellma – has 12 modules – which allow for hospitals both big and small to be managed from admittance, discharge, and follow-up.