The Impact of Health Information Technology on Hospital Performance: A Systematic Integrative Literature Review

Objective: To review, categorise, and synthesise findings from literature on health information technology (HIT) functionalities, HIT use, and the impact of HIT on hospital performance. Materials and Methods: We conducted a systematic integrative literature review based on a compre-hensive database search. To organise, categorise and synthesise the ex-isting literature, we adopted the affordance actualization theory. To align the literature with our research framework, we used four categories: 1) the functionalities of HIT and how these functionalities are measured;2) use and immediate outcomes of HIT functionalities;3) different perfor-mance indicators and how HIT functionalities affect them;and 4) what hospital characteristics influence the outcome of hospital performance. Results: Fifty-two studies were included. We identified four types of HIT. Only ten studies (19.2%) define the use of HIT by explicitly meas-uring the use rate of HIT. We identified five dimensions of hospital per-formance indicators. Every dimension showed mixed results;however, in general, HIT has a positive impact on mortality and patient readmis-sions. We found several hospital characteristics that may affect the rela-tionship between HIT and hospital-level outcomes. Discussion: Further efforts should focus on embedded research on HIT functionalities, use and effects of HIT implementations with more performance indicators and adjusted for hospital characteristics. Conclusion: The proposed framework could help hospitals and researchers make decisions regard-ing the functionalities, use and effects of HIT implementation in hospi-tals. Given our research outcomes, we suggest future research opportuni-ties to improve understanding of how HIT affects hospital performance. .

Evaluating and Addressing Interoperability Constraints in Health Information Systems for Enhanced Healthcare Delivery in Zimbabwe

Interoperability constraints in health information systems pose significant challenges to the seamless exchange and utilization of health data, hindering effective healthcare delivery. This paper aims to evaluate and address these constraints to enhance healthcare delivery. The study examines the current state of interoperability in health information systems, identifies the key constraints, and explores their impact on healthcare outcomes. Various approaches and strategies for addressing interoperability constraints are discussed, including the adoption of standardized data formats, implementation of interoperability frameworks, and establishment of robust data governance mechanisms. Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of stakeholder collaboration, policy development, and technical advancements in achieving enhanced interoperability. The findings emphasize the need for a comprehensive evaluation of interoperability constraints and the implementation of targeted interventions to promote seamless data exchange, improve care coordination, and enhance patient outcomes in healthcare settings.

Influence of initial check, information exchange, final accuracy check, reaction information nursing on the psychology of elderly with lung cancer

BACKGROUND As one of the fatal diseases with high incidence,lung cancer has seriously endangered public health and safety.Elderly patients usually have poor self-care and are more likely to show a series of psychological problems.AIM To investigate the effectiveness of the initial check,information exchange,final accuracy check,reaction(IIFAR)information care model on the mental health status of elderly patients with lung cancer.METHODS This study is a single-centre study.We randomly recruited 60 elderly patients with lung cancer who attended our hospital from January 2021 to January 2022.These elderly patients with lung cancer were randomly divided into two groups,with the control group taking the conventional propaganda and education and the observation group taking the IIFAR information care model based on the conventional care protocol.The differences in psychological distress,anxiety and depression,life quality,fatigue,and the locus of control in psychology were compared between these two groups,and the causes of psychological distress were analyzed.RESULTS After the intervention,Distress Thermometer,Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS)for anxiety and the HADS for depression,Revised Piper’s Fatigue Scale,and Chance Health Locus of Control scores were lower in the observation group compared to the pre-intervention period in the same group and were significantly lower in the observation group compared to those of the control group(P<0.05).After the intervention,Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30(QLQ-C30),Internal Health Locus of Control,and Powerful Others Health Locus of Control scores were significantly higher in the observation and the control groups compared to the pre-intervention period in their same group,and QLQ-C30 scores were significantly higher in the observation group compared to those of the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The IIFAR information care model can help elderly patients with lung cancer by reducing their anxiety and depression,psychological distress,and fatigue,improving their tendencies on the locus of control in psychology,and enhancing their life qualities.

Ensuring Information Security in Electronic Health Record System Using Cryptography and Cuckoo Search Algorithm

In the contemporary era,the abundant availability of health information through internet and mobile technology raises concerns.Safeguarding and maintaining the confidentiality of patients’medical data becomes paramount when sharing such information with authorized healthcare providers.Although electronic patient records and the internet have facilitated the exchange of medical information among healthcare providers,concerns persist regarding the security of the data.The security of Electronic Health Record Systems(EHRS)can be improved by employing the Cuckoo Search Algorithm(CS),the SHA-256 algorithm,and the Elliptic Curve Cryptography(ECC),as proposed in this study.The suggested approach involves usingCS to generate the ECCprivate key,thereby enhancing the security of data storage in EHR.The study evaluates the proposed design by comparing encoding and decoding times with alternative techniques like ECC-GA-SHA-256.The research findings indicate that the proposed design achieves faster encoding and decoding times,completing 125 and 175 iterations,respectively.Furthermore,the proposed design surpasses other encoding techniques by exhibiting encoding and decoding times that are more than 15.17%faster.These results imply that the proposed design can significantly enhance the security and performance of EHRs.Through the utilization of CS,SHA-256,and ECC,this study presents promising methods for addressing the security challenges associated with EHRs.

Evaluation of the Living Conditions and Health Perceptions of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Handlers in the Informal Sector in Dakar

Electrical and electronic devices are becoming an increasingly important part of our society. In Africa, and in Senegal in particular, the handling and management of electronic and electrical equipment (EEE) that has reached the end of its life is mainly informal. This professional environment is characterized by the disintegration of the sector and the social heterogeneity that can be found there. The objective of this study is to assess the standard of living of electrical and electronic equipment waste handlers in the Dakar region, as well as their perception of their health. A survey was used to obtain information on sociodemographic background, living arrangements, perception of health status, and good practices to be implemented in case of work-related health problems. Life style, perception of general health and health problems were ranged as excellent, very good, good, average and poor. Informal recyclers in the Dakar region lived mainly in rooms and buildings as tenants (49.1%), or in family homes (48.4%) before starting this activity, and 51.2% continue to live in rooms and buildings as tenants compared to 41.4% who still live in a family home. The perception of health status ranged from poor to excellent, and 4.9% believe that they are limited in work due to a disability or health problem. Informal work is a heterogeneous phenomenon that makes research and policymaking particularly complex. There are several external factors within informal WEEE re-cyclers that can cause health problems or functional disability. However, the living conditions and the perception they have of their state of health are contradictory to the working conditions and the social environment to which they belong. A biomedical approach would consolidate these achievements by confirming or invalidating them.

The portrayal of hearing loss information in online Mandarin videos

Background/purpose:With increasing accessibility to the Internet,patients frequently use the Internet for hearing healthcare information.No study has examined the information about hearing loss available in the Mandarin language on online video-sharing platforms.The study’s primary purpose is to investigate the content,source,understandability,and actionability of hearing loss information in the Mandarin language’s one hundred most popular online videos.Method:In this project,publicly accessible online videos were analyzed.One hundred of the most popular Mandarin-language videos about hearing loss were identified(51 videos on YouTube and 49 on the Bilibili video-sharing platform).They were manually coded for different popularity metrics,sources,and content.Each video was also rated using the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Audiovisual Materials(PEMAT-AV)to measure the understandability and actionability scores.Results:The video sources were classified as either media(n=36),professional(n=39),or consumer(n=25).The videos covered various topics,including symptoms,consequences,and treatment of hearing loss.Overall,videos attained adequate understandability scores(mean=73.6%)but low(mean=43.4%)actionability scores.Conclusions:While existing online content related to hearing loss is quite diverse and largely understandable,those videos provide limited actionable information.Hearing healthcare professionals,media,and content creators can help patients better understand their conditions and make educated hearing healthcare decisions by focusing on the actionability information in their online videos.

Information on Mapping and Vaccination Data in a Locality System

During the pandemic, technological innovation provided a platform with a range of uses, including in the healthcare industry. Technology is currently being used in vaccination drives run by many governments across the world to help spread vaccines quickly and efficiently. The technology makes healthcare personnel more effective at their professions and greatly raises the standard of service in the industry. The researchers undertook this study to create a suitable and long-lasting immunization database with a mapping method to give a better perspective of the immunization status. To gather essential information for this study, the researchers spoke with the local health officer in the targeted area. The obtained data then served as the basis for the system’s capabilities and features, becoming the target problems addressed by the developers. The investigation found that the majority of procedures and interactions are carried out manually and recorded on an unprotected, antiquated Excel spreadsheet. The researchers’ technology also shows to be a superior way to deal with the problems and difficulties while making their health-related transactions and operations quicker, safer, and much more effective.

The Role of Library and Information Science Education in the Development of Community Health Information Services for People Living with HIV/AIDS: Perspectives of Directors and Managers of Public Libraries

This article identifies the role of library and information science (LIS) education in the development of community health information services for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Preliminary findings are presented from semi- structured qualitative interviews that were conducted with eleven directors and managers of local branches in the Knox County Public Library (KCPL) System that is located in the East Tennessee region in the United States. Select feedback reported by research participants is summarized in the article about strategies in LIS education that can help local public librarians and others in their efforts to become more responsive information providers to PLWHA. Research findings help better understand the issues and concerns regarding the development of digital and non-digital health information services for PLWHA in local public library institutions.

Seeking Health Information Online:The Moderating Effects of Problematic Situations on User Intention

Purpose： This study investigates how online user intention in searching health information is affected by problematic situations.Design/methodology/approach： Based on the Theory of Reasoned Action, the Technology Acceptance Model, and Sense-making theory, we propose two dimensions of problematic situations： urgency and severity of health issues being searched online. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey among 214 Wuhan University students and analyzed using hierarchical regression analysis.Findings： Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and subjective norm can influence user intention to seek health information online. The urgency of problematic situations has a negative moderating effect on the relationship between perceived ease of use and user intention and the relationship between subjective norm and user intention. The severity of problematic situations has a negative moderating effect on the relationship between subjective norm and user intention.Research limitations： The respondents of the survey are limited to students in one Chinese university, so whether this study＇s results can be applied to another population or not remains to be verified. In addition, only two dimensions of problematic situations are considered in this study. Practical implications： The paper puts forward the moderating effect of problematic situations and verifies it, which is the compensation for online health information-seeking behavior research. Besides, our analyses have implications for professional design of health care systems and related consumer information searches, and improve their performance. Originality/value： Previous work has reported the effects of problematic situation on user intention to seek health information online, ignoring its influence on other factors. This empirical study extends that work to identify the influence of problematic situation when seeking intention-behavior data in two dimensions, urgency and severity.

Research on the Model of Consumer Health Information Seeking Behavior via Social Media

Purpose: We aim to create a model of consumer health information seeking behavior via social media, then to have a better understand of it. After that further efforts should be made to provide targeted recommendations for media managers to promote health communication via social media. Methods: Our custom model was derived from literature review, empirical research was tested by the use of questionnaire investigation, and then the collected data were analyzed by structural equation model tool SmartPLS. Finally, the custom model was modified according to the experimental results of SmartPLS. Results: A total of 239 (66.39%) of the respondents were female and 121 (33.61%) were male. The maximum of two stages of age were 18 - 29 (70.56%), 30 - 39 (13.89%). Wechat (60.28%), QQ Zone (55.22%), Micro-blog (48.89%) were the most commonly used social media to obtain health information. About 44.72% of respondents used social media to obtain health information multiple times a day. The whole numerical values of AVE, cronbach’s alpha, CR and square roots of AVE were above the benchmarks of themselves and showed great reliability and validity. All the 11 hypotheses had obvious statistical significance, the P-value of eight path coefficients exhibited <0.001, one path coefficient exhibited <0.01 and two path coefficients exhibited <0.05. Conclusions: A suitable model of consumer health information seeking behavior via social media was created and some inner relationships were found. Namely, gratification of health information and its platform had a positive effect on attitudes toward health information seeking behavior. Health information literacy and health status were proved to have a significant influence on attitudes toward health information seeking behavior, subject norms and perceived behavioral control respectively. In addition, attitudes toward the health information seeking behavior, subject norms and perceived behavioral control were proved to positively associate with health information seeking behavior intention.

Systematic Thinking Underlying People with Diabetes’ Beliefs on Health Outcomes: An Information Integration Theory Approach

A sample of 76 older adults (27 with diabetes and 49 without diabetes) were selected to judge three information factors, metamemory related to—drug organization—stress and physical activity in relation to their perception of self-care. In order to do so, an Integration Information Theory was considered to determine systematic cognitive algebra rules underlying judgment about 24 different health self-care scenarios. Results indicate that older adults without diabetes use a summative cognitive rule to integrate relevant health information but older adults with diabetes do not. Both groups agreed that metamemory was the most relevant factor to their self-care followed by stress and physical activity. However, valuation of these factors does depend on the type of group. Implications of these results to healthcare a behavioral nursing intervention are discussed in this paper.

Enriching online access to health information for the public: Efforts from a medical library in China

Purpose: Disseminating medical and health information is a mission of a public medical library. This paper describes a practice of a medical library in providing online access to health information for the general public.Design/methodology/approach: A four-step workflow is developed to integrate and disseminate heterogeneous health information from medical associations. First, a raw data repository is developed to manage the original submissions from information providers.Second, each document in the raw data repository is represented in a standardized XML schema. Third, the medical terms are identified and manually annotated, enriching the semantics of health information. Lastly, all the semantically enriched XML documents are converted to HTMLs for online dissemination.Findings: A health information website, CHealth, was developed for Chinese speakers. It provides free online access for all without any login or IP constrains. CHealth is available at www.chealth.org.cn.Research limitations: The current workflow is time-consuming and labor-intensive due to the lack of information submission/exchange standard and commonly agreed-on consumer health terminology in Chinese.Originality/value: In this work, the target audience of the medical library has been extended from traditional academic/professional to the general public. Methodologies in library sciences have been combined with those in consumer health informatics in CHealth development.

Trust and Security on Semantic HIM (Health Information Management)

Information technology have changed information media by networking and internet using technology in health as same as another part improve efficiency and effectiveness. Currently, the medical document is reality-based medicine, so that is the most important, richest and the most realistic source of medical and health information. Health information management systems that require systems to the storage, retrieval, storage and elimination of health records (by law), and adjust to the rules of professional. These processes are difficult and time consuming for human. In the meantime semantic HIM seem best solution.

Application of VPN Technique in the Construction of Public Health Information System

Summary： Data communication and sharing of five level network of Public Health Information System, i.e. nation, province, district （city）, county, and town, as far as to the countryside level were described, and how to apply the three solutions, i.e. Access VPN, Intranet VPN, and Extranet VPN of VPN technique to achieve the appropriation of the public network was also presented.

High Immunization Coverage but Delayed Immunization Reflects Gaps in Health Management Information System (HMIS) in District Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India—An Immunization Evaluation

Background: Complete and timely childhood immunization is one of the most cost-effective interventions in improving child survival in developing countries. Computerized HMIS has been recently introduced to collect aggregated data on service beneficiaries in Himachal Pradesh. HMIS provides coverage estimates for immunization while information on timeliness is currently not available. Hence we conducted a study to validate coverage and assess the timeliness of immunization in Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh. We surveyed mothers (224) of children aged 12 - 23 months (as on January 2008) and selected 32 clusters in the district between January and March 2008. Design/Methods: We conducted a cross sectional survey and selected 32 clusters by probability proportional to size method whereas seven eligible children per cluster were randomly selected. We interviewed mothers using a structured interview schedule, examined immunization card & looked for Bacillus Calmette Guierre (BCG) Scar. Vaccination after 30 days from national schedule was considered “delayed”. We computed proportions of children completely immunized, immunization delayed, frequency of reasons for delay and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) for significance of associated factors. We conducted a case control analysis of factors associated with timely immunization by taking timely immunized children as cases and delayed immunized ones as controls. Results/Outcome: Reported coverage was universal (100%). Validated full immunization coverage was 94.2% by card/record & 99% by history. Only 29.5% (CI = 20.6% - 37.4%) of children were fully immunized as per schedule (delay less than 30 days). Median delay was 21 days for BCG, 28 days for Diptheria Pertussis Tetanus (DPT 3) and 25 days for measles. Among those with delayed vaccinations, reasons were forgetfulness (36%), lack of correct knowledge (27%) & mother gone to parents’ home (27%) & insufficient children in a camp to open full dose BCG vial (22%). Our case control analysis of timely vaccinated versus delayed vaccination revealed that “precall” (reminder) was significantly [OR = 0.1, CI = 0.2 - 0.5] protective against delayed vaccination. Logistic Regression of delay > 30 days revealed that having returned unimmunized from immunization camp earlier due to insufficient children to open vaccine vial (because of high wastage factor) was significantly associated with delayed immunization (p = 0.0000), while knowledge of date of immunization camp was significantly protective from delayed immunization (p = 0.0026). 68% of the children were having at least one immunization delayed over 30 days from recommended schedule, while the proportion of children whose immunization was delayed by over 90 days was 9.4%. Conclusions: Validated field coverage estimates are lower than reported which can be due to inclusion of children of migrants in numerator & not in the denominator. High proportion of children (>70%) were delayed, suggesting implications for WHO’s strategy of measles control & national Tuberculosis (TB) control programmes, as 4.5% of them had suffered from measles. To avoid delays we recommend (i) use of mono dose vials for BCG;(ii) precall notice to mothers;(iii) modification of HMIS software to track immunization status and timeliness of individual beneficiaries rather than aggregate numbers.

A Narrative Review of the Laboratory Information System and Its Role in Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance in South Africa

A laboratory information system (LIS) established in a microbiology department has the potential to play an important role in the quality of microbiology data such as culture of blood, urine, stool, pus swab samples etc. Such data could be effectively utilised to measure the burden of antimicrobial resistance among patients presented to various hospitals and clinics with an episode of an infectious illness of bacterial origin. A variety of clinical and epidemiological investigations are conducted using culture data and the presence of an electronic system such as LIS enhances such investigations and improves the reliability of measures of antimicrobial resistance owing to improved data quality as well as completeness of data gathered as opposed to paper based system. Therefore to improve surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in South Africa, there is a need to reinforce the functionality of the LIS in both public and private microbiology laboratories as this will help to improve internal quality control methodologies.

Socio-Cultural Barriers Influencing Utilization of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Information and Services among Adolescents and Youth 10 - 24 Years in Pastoral Communities in Kenya

Background: As in other developing countries, sexual and reproductive ill-health continues to mostly affect adolescents and youths. Samburu and Turkana counties in Kenya have some of the highest levels of total fertility rates (TFR) at 6.3 and 6.9 respectively placing them well above the national TFR of 3.9. Establishing factors that influence utilization of SRH services among adolescent and youth aged 10 - 24 years is critical in developing an effective program. Method: We used primary data from qualitative and purposeful study design. Data collection used Focus group discussions (FGD), In-depth interviews (IDIs) and Key informant interviews (IDIs). The target groups were adolescents and youth aged 10 - 24 years, health care providers, community health volunteers (CHVs), chemist assistants, parents of adolescents and youth, teachers, spiritual leaders and traditional activists. Findings and Conclusion: Socio-cultural factors were found to influence utilization of SRH services and information. Early marriage, being youth, male only decisions on sexuality matters and fear of family contribute to unprotected sex while myths and misconceptions on contraceptives affected utilization. The findings revealed that youth needs to know sources, how contraceptives work and how to use them. The findings suggest capacity building of health care providers, CHVs, teachers, parents and community leaders on adolescence, sexuality needs of adolescents and disadvantages of female genital mutilation (FGM) including early marriage.

Perception and Information Seeking Behaviour of Rural Households towards Health Promoting Practices in Maigana District of Kaduna State, Nigeria

Information is valuable, increases understanding and reduces uncertainty. Limited knowledge and access to health promoting and disease prevention programmes are more pronounced in rural than urban areas of Nigeria. Furthermore, the paucity of healthcare services in these rural communities also contributes to the prevalence of health challenges in the rural sector. This study investigated the perception and information seeking behavior of rural households in Maigana District of Kaduna State, Nigeria towards health promoting practices. A random sample of 152 respondents selected from five of eleven wards in the district was interviewed using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. The results, based on a 4-point Likert type scale and benchmark of 2.5 showed a very poor perception of health promoting practices among the respondents. Also, the information needs of the respondents were shown to be enormous. Three of the six socio-demographic variables regressed were found to significantly influence the information seeking behavior of the respondents regarding health promoting practices. Constraints limiting the embracement of health promoting practices were identified and measures aimed at promoting healthier living standards in rural communities were recommended. The study concludes that vast knowledge gaps do exist coupled with the poor perception of HPPs by the respondents.

Evaluating the Quality of Malaria-Related Health Information in the Nigerian Internet Context

Background: Patients and public are increasingly relying on Internet for health information. Health care providers are using internet for dissemination of health information. However, health information available on internet is not well regulated, and information quality varies greatly. Malaria is the leading cause of death and disease in many developing countries and has serious health burden around the world. The Internet could become a major resource for malaria education and information in Africa. This may potentially save millions of lives. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality of malaria health and treatment information available on the internet provided by the Nigerian context. Methods: Two key terms (malaria & treatment) were entered into three search engines: Google, Yahoo! and Bing. In order to retrieve articles as if the searches were conducted in Nigeria, the Local Area Network (LAN) settings were changed to a Nigerian proxy server, with a local Internet Protocol address. Three raters evaluated the quality of information using the DISCERN [9] instrument criteria. Kendall’s concordance coefficient (W) was calculated to determine the level of agreement among the three raters. Results: Thirty-eight websites evaluated, and the highest inter-rater average score was attributed to the Patient.co.uk website, followed by Wikipedia web site and Malaria Site. The “Home Remedies for You” website received the lowest score. Most evaluated websites were .com domains. The highest average score was given to .co.uk domains while .int had the lowest score. Conclusions: Improving the quality of malaria-related health information could lead to empowering communities, engaging and assisting them to strengthen their health and social information sharing and support.