The impact of information technology (IT) on patient laboratory data management: a case of Rwanda’s national phone and internet-based reporting system (TRAC net PCR laboratory module) for children born on HIV+ patients

Abstract

The Ministry of Health (MoH) through e-health is committed to the use of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) to improve the healthcare service delivery. It is through this initiative that in March 2010, the National Reference Laboratory (NRL), Center for Treatment and Research on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), malaria, Tuberculosis (TB) and other epidemics (TRACPlus) and Voxiva Inc. launched TRACnet Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) laboratory module, a phone and internet based reporting system to disseminate patient laboratory test results through Short Messages System (SMS). Using TRACnet PCR laboratory module, healthcare providers receive the PCR results timely and are able to follow up with infants born on HIV positive parents in remote sites. The study impact of Information Technology (IT) on patient laboratory data management: a case study of Rwanda’s national phone and internet-based reporting system TRACnet PCR laboratory module) for children born on HIV positive parents was part of researcher’s thesis in fulfillment of the requirement for the Degree of Masters in Business Administration (MBA). It was also intended to provide an insight on the systems achievements since its launch March 2010 to March 2011 as well as to facilitate NRL to determine whether the system should be used to disseminate other laboratory test results besides PCR. The TRACnet PCR study main objectives were to; examine the impact of IT on patients laboratory data management, to assess the promptness and confidentiality of the systems results , evaluate the challenges the system encounters in its two way delivery of patient laboratory test results , conduct an analysis on whether the system can be used to transmit other laboratory test results besides PCR and finally to suggest possible recommendations on how the system can be improved in case there are inefficiencies. The results derived from the study revealed that seventy four (74%) of the respondents at NRL report the PCR results using TRACnet PCR module while ninety two (92%) of the respondents at Health Center (HC) receive the PCR results through SMS. The study findings revealed that the results received through SMS are prompt, accurate and confidential and it is through the use of this system that the management of PCR results has improved by reducing results Turnaround Time (TAT) from moths to seconds. The study found that from March 2010 to March 2011, one thousand six hundred and fourteen (1614) numbers of PCR were received in NRL while nine hundred forty two (942) results were disseminated to HC using the system. Although the system has improved the results TAT, it is also facing some challenges which include; - Improper feeling of patient sample repulsion form - Frequent internet failure and low band width - NRL data clerks involvement in other laboratory activities leading to accumulation of unsent results and constant PCR reagent stock out It is through the researcher’s findings that recommendations have been drawn to stakeholders using the system namely (MoH, NRL, HC and Voxiva) to improve on the current systems inefficiencies caused by the challenges earlier mentioned.