Lesson 5

HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEMS

HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEM

Health information systems refer to any system that “captures, stores, manages, or transmits information related
to the health of individuals or the activities of organizations that work within the health sector.”

This definition encompasses district-level routine information systems, disease surveillance systems, laboratory
information systems, hospital patient administration systems (PAS), and human resource management
information systems (HRMIS).
Role and function of Health Information Systems
1. Files are easier to access
2. More control
3. Easy update
4. Communications
 Health
Information
System
Resources

Dissemination
and Use Indicators

Components of Health Information

System
Information Data
Products Sources
Figure 5.1.
Six Elements of a Health Information
System
Date
Management
 Figure 5.2.
Sources of Information for HIS
 KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER
� Health information systems refer to any system that “captures, stores, manages, or transmits
information related to the health of individuals or the activities of organizations that work within the
health sector.”
� HIS improves the services because files are easier to access, provided with more controls, easy to
update, and easy communication.
� The components of HIS are (Inputs) Health Information System Resources; (Processes) Indicators, Data
Sources, Data Management; and (Outputs) Information Products, and Dissemination and Use.
� The different data sources are: Demographic Data, Administrative Data, Health Risk Information, Health
Status, Patient Medical History, Current Medical Management, and Outcomes Data.
 REFERENCES
Donaldson, M., & Lohr, K. (1994). Health Data in the Information Age: Use, Disclosure, and Privacy. National
Academies Press.
Health Metrics Network. (2008). Framework and standards for country health information systems (2nd
Ed.). Health Metrics Network, World Health Organization. http://apps.who.int/iris/
bitstream/10665/43872/1/9789241595940_eng.pdf
Pacific Health Information Network. (2016). Health Information Systems (HIS). http://
phinnetwork.org/resources/health-information-systems-his/
Sheahan, K. (2017). The Purpose of Health Information Systems. https://bizfluent.com/facts- 6758496-
purpose-health-information-systems.html