Impact of Electronic Health Record System (EHRs) on Healthcare Quality at Asamankese Government Hospital, Ghana

Abstract

Frimpong Matthew Antwi

The main objective of this study was to explore the impact of EHRs on healthcare quality at the Asamankese Government Hospital. The research used three objectives thus, explore the use, behavioral intent and the impact of EHRs on healthcare quality among clients and staffs of the facility. This is qualitative research with a case study design with data gathered through interviews from five clients and eight staffs. The study proved all departments of the Hospital were fully using EHRs with all respondents willing to continue its use. The key findings of the study were, firstly, improved storage and quality of medical records and easy retrieval of records by healthcare practitioners. EHRs reduces administrative and operational cost. Thirdly, EHRs improves client safety, staff productivity and efficiency healthcare delivery. Furthermore, it reduces clients’ waiting time, waste of resources and helping track expiry dates of medications and improves health outcomes. Finally, EHRs improves triaging and responsive care and the personal healthcare of clients thereby improving clients’ satisfaction on services rendered at the facility. The EHRs however faced challenges such us unstable internet network, electricity instability, inadequate training of staffs, etc. The study concludes EHRs has improved healthcare quality at the Asamankese Government Hospital

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