Managing Electronic Health Records: A Case Study of Rocket Health Uganda
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Date
2024-06-04
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Uganda Christian University
Abstract
Digital health service providers such as Rocket Health rely on electronic health records for health service delivery. This study aimed at examining the management of electronic health records at Rocket Health so as to design an evidence-based framework for electronic health records management at Rocket Health. The study's objectives were: i) to find out the health services provided at Rocket Health; ii) to examine the records management practices at Rocket Health; iii) to find out the inhibitors to effective electronic health records management at Rocket Health; and iv) to design an evidence-based framework for the management of electronic health records at Rocket Health. A case study research design was used with a mixed-methods approach. The study's population consisted of twenty-five staff working at Rocket Health who were purposively selected as the sample size. Data was collected through structured face-to-face interviews, document reviews and questionnaires. The results revealed that some of the health services provided at Rocket Health included telehealth services, pharmacy services, last mile services and an e-shop. It was also revealed that the records management practices included records creation, records maintenance, records preservation and records conservation. Records disposal was not conducted. The inhibitors to effective electronic health records management included the lack of records management training, hacking and human errors. It was concluded that most of the health services provided at Rocket Health were digital and thus resulted in the production of electronic health records. Additionally, electronic health records were created from different service points and captured and managed by a cloud-based system. However, the cloud-based system was prone to security threats from both internal and external stakeholders. A framework for managing electronic health records was designed based on the findings of the study. The framework covered electronic health records processes, management of health data/information flow, records security and quality considerations. The study recommended collaboration between information technology practitioners and healthcare staff to improve electronic health records management, enforcement of security controls to improve records security, proper capture of electronic health records to improve their quality and performing quality checks as a way of enhancing the management of electronic health records at Rocket Health.