Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #111000

Dr. Hadi Al Hamzi, MMedSc and Mark S. Landry, MS. Partners for Health Reform-plus Yemen, Abt Associates Inc., 49-1 Tourist City, P.O. Box 22333, Sana'a, Yemen, 967 1 309 917/8, Mark_Landry@abtassoc.com

Health registry and statistical information collected at points of service in Yemen are unreliable and generally used for reporting purposes only. The USAID-funded PHRplus Project has implemented a health information system (HIS) project in the Yemen governorate of Amran to rapidly collect essential patient information at pilot health facilities. The objective of the facility-based HIS pilot study is to support the collection of patient flow data to be used for evidence-based decision making to improve the quality of health care in health facilities and throughout targeted communities. Sensitization and training was conducted to ensure participating health providers learned the importance of accurate health information and ways these data can be best utilized. Patient encounter data — including chief complaints, diagnoses, and services provided, are collected rapidly on an easy-to-use form. The information is logged into and summarized in a customized HIS software application. The HIS generates a suite of reports designed by the governorate and district health officers to quickly assess patient flow trends and alternatives for health care improvements. In this manner, health information is used to inform decisions locally with the use of feedback loops. Information is not only reported to higher levels within the Yemen health system but also managed and utilized at local and regional levels. Specifically, the HIS data and reports are being used for planning purposes, such as targeting resources, determining patient accessibility to local facilities, and staffing requirements. The HIS pilot study results support the Yemen Ministry of Public Health and Population health sector decentralization objectives.

Learning Objectives:

• understand criteria for designing a patient encounter form for rapidly collecting essential patient flow information; recognize suitable mechanisms for creating incentives to health providers to record and report accurate health statistics; comprehend importance of evidence-based approach using health information systems to inform facility and regional health care decisions

Keywords: Health Information Systems,

Related Web page: www.phrplus.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.