Application of ICT in health information management practices in selected tertiary hospitals in South- South States of Nigeria

Abstract

Background/Objectives: This study investigated the application of information communication
technology to health information management (HIM) practices in two selected tertiary hospitals in
South-South, Nigeria. Design/Methods: : Descriptive survey design was adopted and total enumeration
of 78 HIM practitioners were recruited. Data was collected with the aid of a well-structured
questionnaire. Mean and standard deviation were computed using SPSS Version ?? and the null
hypothesis (Ho) was tested using independent sample T-test. Results: The study revealed that 33.8% of
the participants were from NDUTH, Okolobiri and 66.2% were from FMC Asaba. It was reported that
ICT was being applied in registration/documentation of patient. Manual method is however, still
effective alongside with ICT application. The technology was being applied in case transfer within the
hospital but, patient samples were not transferred to other hospitals due to none implementation of
needed software. It was also noted that ICT was being applied in the analysis of patient data and
management of patient/ clinical records in the hospitals but, manual system of preservation of records
still persists. The null hypothesis tested was rejected and concluded that there is a significant difference
between the mean responses of NDUTH staff Okolobiri and staff of FMC Asaba on application of ICT
in the two selected hospitals. Conclusion: It is obvious to conclude that, there is more of ICTs
application in FMC, Asaba in Delta State than NDUTH, Okolobiri in Bayelsa State. Based on these
discoveries, government should provide stable electricity and adequate funding system to ensure full
implementation of ICT in the hospitals to promote effective healthcare delivery as well as provision of
needed ICT equipment and manpower for efficient healthcare services in tertiary hospitals across the
South- South State of Nigeria.