Strengthening hospital information systems in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

1. 1
Strengthening hospital
information systems in the
Eastern Mediterranean
Region
Coordinator, Information Systems for Health,
Division of Science, Information and Dissemination
Dr Henry Doctor

2. Outline
Why hospital information systems
matter
Current status in the Region
Way forwards

3. 3
Hospital information systems remain a key source
of data for decision-making
 Easy access to
patient data
 Improved patient
care
 Achieving universal
health coverage

4. 4
What are the ideal functions and components of a
hospital information system?
Admissions,
discharges and
referrals
Prescribing and
pharmacy management
Guidelines and
decision support
Laboratory and
radiology
Logistics, billing,
finance and
insurance
Audit and quality
assurance
Telemedicine and
remote patient
monitoring

5. 5
Current situation
 Limited connectivity
between hospitals
 Limited standards and
data sharing
 Individual hospitals
have invested in
advanced hospital
information systems
Systems with widespread
use of advanced
technologies
High income
 National health
information system in
place but does not
use the latest
technology and
standards
 Technology and
standards require
improvement
National systems in need
of improvement
Middle & high income
 Few hospitals with
strong hospital
information systems
 Remaining hospitals
with rudimentary
systems
Patchy hospital
information systems
Low & middle income
Non-standardized and
paper based
Rudimentary systems
Low & middle income
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of hospital information systems and the
need to ensure proper linkages

6. Main challenges of hospital
information systems based on
recent assessments
Infrastructure Financing
Integration
Standards and
data quality
Analytical capacity Data use
6

7. 7
A mix of paper-based and electronic data-collection and
management systems are used in hospitals in the Region

8. 8
Case study
Al-Shifa Hospital information system, Oman
Made in-house
Designed collaboratively
Follows international standards
Interconnected

9. 9
Several resolutions and recommendations on improving hospital
information systems exist
The next step is to introduce WHO standard guidelines on
developing such systems
2012 2013 2016 2018 2019
EM/RC59/R.3
Strengthen HIS to
improve reporting of
morbidity and mortality
EM/RC60/R.8
Strengthen national plans
to improve HIS
EM/RC65/R.2
Recommending
strengthening of routine
data sources in the private
sector
EM/RC63
Recommending increased
reporting on regional core
indicators
EM/RC66/R.4
Framework for action for
the hospital sector

10. Considerations for hospital
information system development
Local fit: compliance with local regulations
Scalability: options for more functions
Cost: infrastructure, support, training
and maintenance
Ease of use: collaborative development
Adapting to evolving needs:
beyond managing finances
Networking: appropriate data linkages
10

11. National hospital information systems are needed to:
Conclusions
Generate data
Reduce morbidity and mortality
Guide actions
Streamline processes

12. What we need to move forwards
Infrastructure
Standards
Engagement with the private sector
Interlinkages between levels of care, programmes
and sectors
Developing a regional strategy and technical guidelines
Preparing a technical paper towards the adoption of a
resolution during the next Regional Committee

13. Questions
Thank you – Merci – ‫شكرا‬
What are the main barriers?
What are best practices and how can countries learn from each
other?
How can the private sector be effectively engaged?
How can we support countries?