Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors

• Ahmad Raeisi ¹
• Sakineh Saghaeiannejad Isfahani ²
• Saeed Karimi ³
• Mohammad Yarmohammadian ⁴
• Asghar Ehteshami ⁵

¹ Assistant Professor, Health Information Management, HMERC, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan

² Lecture, Medical Record Education, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan

³ Assistant Professor, Health Services Management, HMERC, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan

⁴ Associate Professor, Educational Planning, HMERC, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan

⁵ PhD Student, Health Information Management, HMERC, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran

Abstract

Introduction: Since, accurate, appropriate, precise, timely, valid information, and valid interpretation of information is required and the basis for policy and decision making and planning in various levels of the organization management, this study was conducted to evaluate the district health information system evolution in Isfahan province according to World Health Organization framework. Methods: This research was an applied, descriptive cross-sectional study, in which a total of twelve urban and eight rural facilities, and one district health center at Falavarjan district were surveyed by using a questionnaire with 334 items. Content validity was confirmed. The reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.99. Obtained data were analyzed with SPSS software and descriptive statistics were used to examine measures of central tendencies. Results: The mean score of evaluation of district health information system framework was 35.75 percent. The maximum score of compliance with district health information system belonged to the data collection process (70 percent). The minimum score of compliance with district health information system belonged to information based decision making process (10 percent). Conclusion: The results showed that information entities of the district health information system in Isfahan province are not in compliance with WHO framework. Consequently, it seems that health system managers engaged with underlying policy and decision making processes at district health systems should try to restructure and decentralize district health information system and develop training management programs for their managers.Keywords: Hospital Information Systems; Management Information Systems; Information Management; Decision Making; World Health Organization.