Health information system

Health information system is a system designed to manage healthcare data. This includes systems that collect, store, manage and transmit a patient’s electronic medical record (EMR), a hospital’s operational management or a system supporting healthcare policy decisions.

Definition

A Health information system (HIS) is a system that integrates data collection, processing, reporting, and use of the information necessary for improving health service effectiveness and efficiency through better management at all levels of health services. It could include computers hardware and software, as well as clinical guidelines, medical terminologies, and information and communication systems. It is specially designed to assist in the management and planning of health programs, as opposed to delivery of care.

Components

A health information system consists of multiple components, including:

• Data collection - This involves the gathering of information about patients and their health history. This can include demographic data, medical history, medication and allergies, immunization status, laboratory test results, radiology images, and personal stats like age and weight.

• Data storage - This is where the collected data is securely stored for future reference. This can be in physical files or in a digital format in a secure database.

• Data management - This involves the organization and administration of the stored data. This can include data entry, data retrieval, data quality assurance, data processing, and data analysis.

• Data transmission - This is the process of transferring the data from one place to another. This can be from the data collection point to the storage point, or from the storage point to the point of use.

Uses

Health information systems are used for a variety of purposes, including:

• Patient care - Health information systems can be used to improve patient care by providing healthcare providers with accurate and timely information about a patient's health history and current health status.

• Healthcare management - Health information systems can be used to manage healthcare services, including scheduling appointments, managing patient records, and tracking patient outcomes.

• Health policy - Health information systems can be used to support health policy decisions by providing data and information about the health status of a population and the effectiveness of health interventions.

See also

• Electronic health record
• Health informatics
• Health information management
• Health information technology

Health information system Resources
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