Assessing Electronic Medical Records Readiness for Service Delivery in State Hospitals in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Electronic Medical Records (EMR) is an important communications channel relating to patient health conditions. Unfortunately, many hospitals in Africa, including Nigeria, have not implemented EMR. The few Hospitals that have some level of EMR continues are still struggling with the use of paper and hybrid medical records, which has led to inadequate medical follow-up, medical error, and long waiting time for patients. A sample size of three hundred and ninety-seven (397) was determined using krejcie and morgan models, comprising of strategic managers, and the operational staff drawn from a population of 2889 in the selected hospitals. Questionnaires were used for data collection. The study adopted a descriptive statistical analysis method to describe the existing medical records systems. The data from the quantitative method was presented in tables and figures. The findings indicated that management readiness which covers financial and political readiness was very low. In the area of readiness, which covers the availability of electronic record managers, the availability of ICT support staff, computer compatible medical devices, among others, was low. The study concluded that hospitals in Nigeria are not taking a adequate preparatory step in implementing EMR. Before embarking on the implementation of EMR, the study recommended that the selected hospitals should ensure there is the availability of fund, staff training, and technical infrastructures like electronic record managers, ICT support staff, and computer compatible medical devices