An Information Technology Approach to Improving Healthcare Delivery in Malawi. Pilot Project Final Report.
Abstract
This report describes the development and deployment of a pilot computer-based health information system. The objectives of the system are twofold: 1) to augment clinicians' ability to deliver healthcare, and 2) to collect complete and accurate information and make it available in a timely fashion to support decision-making at all levels. The ultimate goal of this system is to contribute to the reduction in morbidity and mortality in the target population.
The system integrates clinical workstations into the healthcare delivery process leveraging two technologies that are novel in this setting. A touchscreen interface is used to accommodate low computer literacy among the target users. Wireless networking is used to connect clinical workstations used in the outpatient clinic and on the wards to a central repository of health data. The site chosen to deploy the pilot system was the paediatric department of the central hospital in Malawi's capital city of Lilongwe.
Citation
Douglas, G., An Information Technology Approach to Improving Healthcare Delivery in Malawi, Pilot Project Final Report, 2001, Pittsburgh, USA; Baobab Health Partnership Inc, 22 pp.
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