Wednesday, April 14, 2010

[EQ] Improving the structure and performance of national health information systems

Improving the structure and performance of national health information systems:
Operational approach and strategic recommendations


Technical Series on Information for Decision-Making - PWR CHILE/09/HA/03

Cesar Gattini - Advisor on Health Analysis and Statistics,    PAHO/WHO Representation in Chile

Prepared and edited by the Office of the PAHO/WHO Representation in Chile, Santiago: 2009

PDF [122p.] available to download online:
http://new.paho.org/chi/images/PDFs/national%20health%20information%20%20systems-final%20.pdf

“...this document provides an operational approach and strategic recommendations to guide in the search for better National Health Information Systems (NHIS), through improving their structure and performance.

Under a logical framework approach, it takes into account the systematic critical aspects that tend to be found at NHIS and their corresponding solutions. The rationale for NHIS improvement is the needs for better availability, effectiveness and timeliness of information, in support of policy and decision-making in the health sector.

 

The document focuses on the identification, assessment, planning and improvement of the NHIS, including its components (institutional, technological and functional) and relevant elements (such as policies, standards, organization, resources, technology, processes and performance)...”

Contents

 

Introduction

Needs for Effective Information and Better Health Information Systems

Frequent Limitations in NHIS Structure and Performance

The Search for Better NHIS in Countries

Purpose of the Document and Intended Audience

Structure of the Document

The Operational Approach

A Systemic Approach

Description of the NHIS as a Nationwide Integrated System

Co-Existing Information, Statistical and Surveillance Systems

The NHIS Components

Specific Health Information Systems

Local Health Information Systems

The Contents of Information

Assessing the NHIS

The Reference for Assessment: The Country Adopted Model and Benchmarks

The Assessment Method

The Institutional Component

The Technological Component

The Functional Component

The Integration of the NHI Network

Planning the NHIS Improvement

Plans for NHIS Improvement

Options for Specific and Gradual NHIS Improvement

The Conditions to Ensuring an Effective Plan

The Objectives

Resources and Timetable

The Implementation Process

Monitoring and Evaluation of the Plan

Improving the NHIS Institutional Component

The Legal and Administrative Framework

The Development of Regulations, Criteria, Standards and Norms

Institutional Arrangement for Proper Collection and Production of Information

Defining the Information Contents

The Role of the National Health Authority

Institutional Arrangement for Resources and Technology

 

Improving the NHIS Technological Component

The Search for ICT Solutions

Development of ICT-Related Policies

ICT Implementation and Improvement

Elements and Options for Progressive Automation

Improving the NHIS Performance

Pre-Conditions for Effective Performance

Improving the Management of the NHIS

Improving the Production of Information

Improving the Integration of the Nationwide Information Network

Ensuring the Value of Information as a Key Input for Action

 


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