Medical Device Integration with Electronic Health Records: A Case Study of University of Nairobi Health Services, Kenya

David Muchangi Mugo,Stephen Mburu Ng’Ang’A,Benard Mutisya Nzyoka Nzyoka

doi:10.24297/ijct.v20i.8480

David Muchangi Mugo, Stephen Mburu Ng’Ang’A + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.24297/ijct.v20i.8480

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Abstract

In this study, we describe a demonstration in which available electronic medical records system (EMR) was successfully integrated with a wireless blood pressure monitor (BPM). This was implemented by adopting the use of RESTful Application Programming Interface (API) technologies and commonly established standards designed for medical devices interoperability. Before deploying the prototype, we conducted pilot tests at the University of Nairobi, nursing station to get feedback on the time spent using the conventional blood pressure data capture methods and the newly integrated application. Clinical data from the device was exchanged adhering to the HL7/XML standard communication protocol. The findings indicate a positive outcome was availed on the time taken for the blood pressure readings, time spent by the patient at the nursing station, doctor’s time to search the patients’ blood pressure readings as well as the data accuracy fed in the EMR system.

Highlights

Over the recent years, there has been a country wide drive for both public and private hospitals institutions to adopt the use of information technology in the health care system
A question could be asked as to what benefit there is in having expensive secluded medical devices and at the same time have health care providers noting down patient vitals on paper later manually keying the parameters in the electronic record system? The lack of device integration is a serious problem; potentially preventing clinicians from having timely access to observational data that would help them give the safest and most effective patient care
In terms of data accuracy 0.38% of the readings searched in the manual files had inconsistencies in both diastolic and systolic and 0.23% of the data not readable. 0.42% of the files had no records on blood pressure readings yet it is a mandatory requirement for all patients to take the readings before treatment. 0.85% of all users reported the new integrated solution was user-friendly, with 0.95% agreeing that the solution was useful, usable and effective

Summary

Introduction

There has been a country wide drive for both public and private hospitals institutions to adopt the use of information technology in the health care system. Adoption of information technologies in the health sector has been shown to lead to enhanced access, reduction in costs, improved quality of health services, improved decision making and efficiency in the health sector (Odhiambo, 2015). Despite the significant progresses towards enhancement of these technologies, numerous barriers continue to impede the realization of health information technology’s potential. Lack of functional medical device integration is one of the most significant limitations. A question could be asked as to what benefit there is in having expensive secluded medical devices and at the same time have health care providers noting down patient vitals on paper later manually keying the parameters in the electronic record system? The lack of device integration is a serious problem; potentially preventing clinicians from having timely access to observational data that would help them give the safest and most effective patient care. Consistent and enhanced care needs complete, accurate, and technologically supported data gathering methods

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