An electronic patient records management impact assessment framework based on nurses perceptions: a Namibian case

Health organizations are increasingly investing in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for benefits related to work-process-optimization. One of these benefits is the efficient management of patient records through the use of Electronic Health Records (EHR). An EHR can be referred to as electronic Patient Records Management (PRM). With electronic PRM the process of creation, retrieval, storage and even billing of patients and patient information are aided and automated by ICT. Impact assessment studies on ICT, in particular electronic PRM, are necessary to support investment efforts. An impact assessment would gauge the change brought about by the use of technologies such as electronic PRM systems. In the healthcare setting, nurses are primarily responsible for the day-to-day operations and monitoring of the health progress and care-giving of patients. As such, they could be considered primary aid to patients. The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) in Namibia has not conducted impact assessment on electronic PRM specifically from nurses perceptions, as no such framework exists. The lack of such a framework for impact assessment purposes could be a challenge in supporting investment decisions towards ICT in the public healthcare sector. The aim of this research paper was to design an electronic PRM impact assessment framework from a perception of nurses. The Windhoek Central Hospital was used as a case study. An interpretive approach was selected for the research paradigm in this study. Qualitative data gathering from participants of the public healthcare was possible because of this approach. The modes of data collection consisted of semi structured interviews and questionnaires. A total of 36 questionnaires were distributed to nurses as the primary users of the electronic PRM system in Windhoek Central Hospital. Additionally, two interviews were conducted. A thematic analysis of data was conducted on the information from the interviews and questionnaires. The result of the study was a framework consisting of key players namely nurses and the electronic PRM system with factors linking the key players. The factors are efficiency and key values of the electronic PRM system.