The ultimate objective of a health information system is to produce information for taking action in the health sector. The performance of such a system should therefore be measured not only on the basis of the quality of data produced, but on the evidence of the continued use of these data for improving health systems operations and health status.
This principle applies to all levels.
Objective of Health Information System
The ultimate objective of health information system is not “to gain information” but “to improve action”.
Users of Health Information System
A health information system should generate information for different uses by different health system actors.
Some of these actors operate at macro-decision level (for example, strategic planning, allocation of resources, and evaluation) while others operate at micro-management level (for example, programme management, administration, and deployment of human resources)
Users of Health Information System
Users of Health Information System
At the facility level, managers need information on patient profiles, patterns of admissions and discharges, length of hospital stay, use of medicines and equipment, deployment of different categories of health care workers and ancillary staff, costs and income.
At district level, planners and managers use this information and data on locally relevant population profiles and risk factors in decision-making regarding allocation of resources to different facilities.
Users of Health Information System
At national level, managers need information on health system outcomes and health status.
Health planners and decision-makers need different kinds of information including:
Health determinants – socioeconomic, environmental, behavioural, and genetic factors and the contextual environments within which the health system operates.
Health system inputs – the structures and processes of the health system (policy and organization, health infrastructure including facilities, human and financial resources, and health information systems.
