Electronic Data Interchange System and Performance of Private Health Institutions in Nairobi City County, Kenya

Abstract

In order to address data about patients, medical record systems were developed since it had become increasingly difficult for physicians to manage a health history (particularly past visits and lab tests, prior prescriptions, and allergies from drug use) using a conventional process of writing. The practice of having lab tests redone when there is insufficient lab documentation or missing data is not widespread among medical professionals. As a result, the primary goal of this research entailed assessing contribution of electronic data interchange towards performance in private health institutions. The specific goals entailed investigating about electronic medical records, mobile electronic data interchange, outsourced electronic data interchange, and direct electronic data interchange towards the effectiveness of private health-care facilities. Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation Theory, Acceptance Theory, and Systems Theory served as the foundation for this study. In terms of technique, the research sought to employ descriptive research design. The research exercise sought to address the 25 licensed private hospitals in Nairobi County. The study was designed as a census and include all of Nairobi's registered private hospitals as well as two (11) representatives from the IT departments of the selected private hospitals. The primary data was collected using a questionnaire. Regarding information that was acquired was largely quantitative in nature, and the analysis involved the use of statistics that were descriptive in nature that is, undertaken with the aid of SPSS. Findings generated from the study was shared with important policymakers at private hospitals and other medical institutions, as well as the Kenyan government and other researchers upon completion of this study. The results revealed that the quality of care has improved based on electronic medical in use. Thus, whereas digital notes are frequently simpler to read than a physician's handwriting. There is reduction of errors and misinterpretations, which can have a negative impact on the quality of patient care. In mobile electronics, electronic data interchange enables real-time processing by eliminating operations such as transmitting, receiving, and inserting order data on computers. Further analysis revealed that in outsourced electronic data exchange, when electronic data exchange is outsourced, one-on-one connection with clients is considerably reduced. As a result, it was discovered that increased reliance on their documentations closely