Evaluation of Electronic Medical Record effectiveness on continuity of patient care in health facilities Case of chronic diseases treated at Kiziguro District Hospital

Abstract

Background: Rwandan hospitals have been using information technology to manage medical files (EMRs) since 2006, and common types of EMRs that are used in Rwanda are Open MRS and Open Clinic. EMRs are believed to help healthcare providers to communicate with each other while practicing their job and ensure the continuity of care by avoiding fragmentation of care. Researches about continuity of care through EMR use were carried out elsewhere, but not in Rwanda. Aim: the project aimed to assess how electronic medical records system enhances continuity of care for patients, through the implementation of a single medical file for each patient in healthcare facilities.

Method: The cross-sectional study design was used. During data collection, information was gathered from patients with chronic illnesses about their hospital experience on multiple occasions the came for healthcare; and from members of staff who were receiving/consulting patients at the time of data collection regarding their experience while using EMR/OpenMRS for patients who visited the hospital on multiple occasions for healthcare. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests. Results: One hundred nineteen (89%) patients reported a positive experience with the way healthcare providers work together using stored health information in EMR from different departments (p-value=0.03). Regarding continuity of care 115 (86%) of patients reported that their healthcare providers passed on information to each other very well and it was statistically significant in relation to the number of departments that patients had visited (p-value=0.03). Furthermore, regarding EMR implementation, 23 (68%) staff members reported that every patient was given his unique ID number; 17 (50%) of staff reported that sometimes they treated the patient with same ID number (the same as the one s/he used last time) and 25 (74%) staff reported that they checked patients‟ medical history and used it at each time s/he came to see them.

Conclusion: The findings of the current research project indicated that information stored in EMR was utilized every time patients came to see the healthcare provider. In addition, results showed that vi the healthcare providers communicated with each other through EMR while practicing their job, therefore ensuring the continuity of care and avoided fragmentation of care. Lastly, the level of EMR was implemented by the health facility and routinely used by majority of staff. This shows that patients‟ care was improved by the use of EMR and therefore patients may be satisfied by the way they were care for.