Benefits
1. USE OF SYSTEM TO BENEFIT PATIENTS
• Accurate measuring of height/weight/arm circumference allows easy and accessible monitoring of nutrition over time.
• Computer records of immunization is more accurate than hand held alternatives ensuring better prevention from infectious disease
• Increased confidentiality as staff access data on screen not passed by word of mouth.
• Safer prescriptions from onscreen instructions
• Encourages follow up and monitoring of prolonged or chronic illness.
• Better understanding of illness as patient’s questions can be answered more accurately from access to consultation documented on screen.
2. USE OF SYSTEM TO BENEFIT STAFF
• The system is simple to use Two days training even for people new to computers
• Time saved when patient returns as only recognition required
• Time saved as immediate access to previous data which also encourages better care.
• Continual professional development through case review and clinical searches
• Provides evidence of benefit of care
3. USE OF SYSTEM TO BENEFIT CLINIC
• Provides evidence to prove clinic changing health of community/individual
Provides evidence to prove use of evidence based care and protocol adherence
• Saves money through downward pressure on prescribing costs and reduction of ad-hoc test requests
• Better staff moral through enhanced continual professional development
• Saves time on searches and essential reports done in minutes not days.
4. USE OF SYSTEM TO BENEFIT COMMUNITY
• Better health care benefits community economically
• Increasing health promotion e.g. through increasing immunization rates increased herd immunity of population
• Computer searches to isolate areas of disease hotspots allows targeted health intervention. E.g. increased malaria in a village may need help or encouragement to increase use of sleep nets
5. USE OF SYSTEM TO BENEFIT THE COUNTRY
• Downward pressure on drug budgets saves money
• Accurate data reporting helps develop appropriate health services.
• Academic research through Access of data by outside agencies can lead to health improvement
• Accurate monitoring of clinical activity