Why health reporting is important – Part 2
International Women’s Day: Celebrating Women in Healthcare
March 8, 2022
Hospital Information Systems(HMIS) – all you need to know
March 14, 2022
The WHO (World Health Organization) have adopted a systematic data-driven process, using up-to-date digitisation methods, called S.M.A.R.T. The acronym stands for data that is – Standards Based, Machine Readable, Adaptive, Requirements-based, Testable. who.int./teams/digital-health-and-innovation/smart-guidelines. Accumulated data is used to identify any areas of concern, and pinpoint where and what medical healthcare intervention may be needed, be this locally, internationally, or globally. Recommendations by WHO for the implementing of such a system in communities and countries will of course, be dependent on the financial and intellectual resources that are available or needed. Towards this end, here are a few areas that are probably benefitting by such implementation. Years ago, who would have thought of a world where digital information would come to the aid of billions of people? Medicine has certainly been transformed in this area.
- It has been suggested that not enough emphasis on sex-education is being done, in the right time or place. This appears to be a commonality expressed in several other reports researched, see
One of the primary reasons for sex-education is to decrease sexually prevalent diseases (STD’s, HIV etc.), the resultant un-planned births, mental / physical incapacities, and many others. Young adolescents are still receiving mixed messages from home, school, church, peers, elders, social media. This can translate into national problems that become a burden on society and the healthcare system. The data collection and reporting of diseases, symptoms and other health indicators could be a primary call to action. Rampant illnesses and babies with little pre-planned future would have all sorts of repercussions on a country or society that is not taking note of reported data. What long-term effects are likely from the lack of practical sex-education for adolescents? The collected data and obvious statistics over time will show.
- Reporting using medical technology, should be part of the planning and development of a given society or government. Reporting on health issues and the healthcare that may be necessary for the citizenry, will help in guiding the national budget with regards financing and funding. Prioritising of national expenditure may be supported by the information received from the different reporting bodies. Based on the relevancy and accuracy of the reports and data collected, then important financial decisions may be made, as depicted on the graph below. (This graph is simply for emphasis, and charts of this nature will differ for each country depending on the criteria used or priorities assumed.)
- In the turbulent times that we have faced in the past several years and now into 2022, displacement of populations have impacted many countries around the world. Statics will show that millions of people have had to flee their homes and homeland, for a multitude of reasons. The BBC have recently reported that according to the EU, it is estimated that as many as about seven (7) million people may be forced to flee the country of Ukraine with this new war. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56720589. The data from these occurrences will be used to help make many a decision, and prioritise use of government and tax-payers money being spent in which are areas of concern. In the area of medical healthcare, the sudden influx of fleeing people can be somewhat overwhelming. Proper data collection of these flows will be of utmost importance in determining the healthcare required. If external aid is to be sought, proper detailed information and data would need to be provided to any governmental or international agencies. As indicated on the map below, from the data collected, some areas are going to need more assistance and healthcare than others. The funding and level of healthcare provided to non-nationals will have a significant impact on the healthcare provided to nationals, as displaced peoples will also be in need of medical care.
- As can be seen, implementation of a good, secure modern medical technology service in any clinic, doctor’s office, hospital – government or private, is the way forward. Important financial decisions will be more accurately made with the proper use of such systems. Important allocation and use of the correct drugs will be identified. Important allocation of resources will be more efficiently maximised. Towards this end, accurate reporting is crucial in the healthcare system to determine the number of beds required, the general healthcare necessary, for any given period, or any un-foreseen outbreak, as happened with the COVID 19 virus or the mass influx of displaced persons. It is most likely that in the event of such-like undeterminable circumstances, the healthcare provided to the local citizenry will be put under severe constraints. The citizenry may also incur additional distress from the unavailability of beds, drugs, hospital treatment, after-care, follow-up services and other ancillary services.
- Within the expressed framework of the above, reporting is a multi-faceted responsibility for anyone involved in healthcare, whether directly or indirectly, that should not be taken lightly. There are many more aspects to health reporting, and the hospital information systems available in 2022, makes this more accurate and efficient. All aspects of healthcare as it relates to governments, hospitals, patients, are symbiotic, and should be looked at in this light to find a holistic view. Through the use of modern medical technology, assessment, treatment and public health guidelines can be applied and formulated to chart the best way forward. A view that will deliver to all people, a better type of healthcare.
Should you wish to understand more as to how RioMed Ltd. – Cellma – can help to achieve these goals, please feel free to visit our web-site or contact us
