Using electronic health records to improve healthcare information management

Diverse patients’ health information requires an appropriate approach that meets the plethora of needs of both healthcare providers and patients for effective management. The exchange of medical information between professionals is critical to the delivery of quality care. Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH)’s information exchange is currently paper-based and error-prone. As a result, an electronic health record (EHR) is being developed where data can be transferred between members of healthcare in the hospital. This paper demonstrates how EHR improves the management of patients’ health information. A cross sectional study design was used where a total population of HIM professionals at EKSUTH were given questionnaires on related questions. The results showed that there is environmental support towards ICT and the benefits and barriers towards the implementation of EHR were identified. Summarily, healthcare information management will thrive in the face of EHR when adopted and integrated into healthcare services.