The District Health Information System

Health systems Framework

Role and rationale for District Health Information

Complexity and dynamic of health services

Components of DHIS

Current & proposed information systems practices

Conclusion

Health Systems Framework

(WHO, 2007)

Role of District Health Information-IPivotal role well functioning & efficient information system is:Tracking the performance of Health systemEffective management of health services Restructuring and aligning of health services within the

Health system locally and globallyAllows continuous Review and assessment of Health for

All as was stated by Alma Ata, 1978

Role of District Health Information-II

Supports decision making and resource allocation

Informs program designs and needed reforms

Supports feeding information to the users

at community, health facility, district and national level

Session 3 5

Complexity of Health Service

What is Information system

• A system that provides information that supports decision making process at each level of an organization

• Integrates data collection, processing, reporting and use for improving health service effectiveness and efficiency

• (WHO, 2004)

District health system

PROVINCIAL

DISTRICT

SUB-DISTRICT

FACILITY 7

District Health Information System -DHIS

• Process of handling data (collect, process, present, interpret & use)

• On health issues (status, activities, services – supplies, finance, administration, staff)

• For purposes of– monitoring performance (targets reached)

– rationalising decision making• planning (priority setting, resource allocation, target setting)

• implementation (coordinate, supervise, train, supply, follow-up,

monitor) • In order to improve coverage & quality of health services

Components of a DHIS Epidemiological surveillance monitor common disease patterns (TB, notifiable diseases, STI, HIV/AIDS)

Service reports monitor utilisation & human resource patterns (headcount, personnel)

Special programmes monitor coverage & quality of service delivery (maternal health, child health, nutrition)

Administration & finance monitoring & control (staff working days, training, drugs, supplies)

Population knowing population numbers & distribution (census, surveys, environment, risk, etc)

Software

Aim of a DHIS

Health information systems provide the mechanisms needed to monitor the translation of health policy into practice – this cascades down from national through provincial, district and facility levels

The DHIS enables districts to assess whether the goals,

objectives, indicators and targets, based on both strategic and operational plans are being achieved

Information is central to all service delivery and management

The Primary Health Care Approach Accessible – Appropriate – Acceptable – Affordable

Principles Focus on prevention Appropriate technology Community involvement in

health Inter-sectoral collaboration Equity Responsiveness

Elements Nutrition Water & sanitation MCWH Essential drug use Treatment of local common

conditions communicable diseases Housing, education, environment

etc

COLLECTION OF DATA Indicator based essential

dataset Data elements-standard

definitions Data sources & tools defined

Data capture streamlined

PROCESSING THE DATA Collation Data quality checks

(manual) Data validation

(computer)

ANALYSING THE DATA Indicators

PRESENTING THE DATA Flow of information Format of tables, graphs

& reports Feedback mechanisms

INTERPRETING THE DATA Making sense of

information Possible interpretation

USING THE INFORMATION Regular review of data Relate to operational

plans Monitor service coverage

& quality

Data flow

Feed back

High speed Connectivity

Information, M&E, Research, Data management etc!

Case based surveillance: Patient level data (Medical

Records Plus referral)

Management Dashboards/ Routine Data (Policy &

Decision makers)

FS DoH Senior

Management

Management Reports

Graphical User Interface (Flexible &

User friendly)

Front End view Back end View

HTTP:

Data ware house infrastructure/ Automated back ups

Central Database/

SQL/Cloud computing

Web-based application architecture /Content Management system

DHIS dbase

PADS (PAADS)

Tier.NET

ETR.Net

MEDITECH

Pharmacy &Other dbase systems

Data captu

rer

Paper based

systems/ &

referral

Data security

Data security

Data security

Access security

User defined queries

Access

security:

Login

Aspired Information System

14

HOME AFFAIRS DATABSE

NDoH CENTRAL

DATARepository

Expected Benefits

Improved healthcare provision in the province based on good quality data

Real-time healthcare data monitoring Improved case based monitoring of patient through referral

facilities and Improved data/ resource sharing Improved use of GIS information for planning, disease

mapping & informs fiscal/monetary planningEffective use of ICT infrastructure to support service delivery Improved patient Information Management systems that

enables effective patient careThis supports the FSDoH to move towards a case-based

surveillance system

CONCLUSIONEssential component of Health care

Depends heavily on outside factors

Health Information system need to be responsive

Very complex

THANK YOU