Information and communication technology application and challenges in management of patients’ personal records in some selected public hospitals in Kumasi Metropolis

Abstract

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) consists of the array of technologies which gives users the opportunity to receive, produce and also share resources and ideas. Healthcare facilities, such as hospitals, have little choice but to implement IT solutions. However, these technologies appear to be in short supply in hospitals, particularly in developing nations. The study showed that at public hospitals in Kumasi Metropolis, ICT tool is used to assist claims officer in generating claims for NHIA, discharging of clinical services, entering provisional diagnoses for patients and requesting for consultation service. The study revealed that Public hospitals are faced with numerous challenges in deploying ICT tools. According to the study users, management and technology are the factors that play various roles in posing as challenges in the adoption of ICT in the public hospitals. It was concluded that ICT application have effect on hospital operations. The study concluded that the board/management of the public hospital need to build the capacity of healthcare providers on ICT utilization for effective and efficient ICT usage in order to improve the healthcare service provision.