Choosing an HMIS is only the beginning.
A hospital can purchase good software and still experience implementation problems if the project is poorly planned.
Here are five common areas hospitals should pay attention to.
1. Choosing Software Without Mapping Workflows
A feature list does not tell you how the software will work in your hospital.
Before implementation, map:
- Registration
- Consultation
- Nursing
- Laboratory
- Pharmacy
- Billing
- Claims
- Reporting
Then test how the proposed system handles those workflows.
2. Involving IT but Not End Users
IT teams understand technology.
But receptionists understand reception workflows.
Nurses understand nursing workflows.
Pharmacists understand pharmacy workflows.
Doctors understand clinical workflows.
Include representatives from the departments that will actually use the software.
3. Trying to Digitize Everything at Once
A large hospital may have dozens of workflows.
Attempting to change everything simultaneously can make adoption more difficult.
A phased approach can allow teams to learn, identify problems and improve the implementation progressively.
4. Ignoring Data Quality
Poor data can affect:
- Patient identification
- Reports
- Billing
- Claims
- Clinical information
- Inventory
Data-cleaning and validation should therefore be part of implementation.
5. Treating Training as a One-Time Event
Hospitals continuously hire new employees and change workflows.
Training should therefore continue beyond launch.
A good HMIS implementation includes:
- Initial training
- New-user onboarding
- Documentation
- Support
- Refresher training
- Workflow reviews
A Successful HMIS Is a People-and-Process Project
Technology is important, but successful implementation also requires:
People + Processes + Technology + Training + Support
Kenya's Digital Health Agency emphasizes standards, interoperability and strengthening existing health information systems, which reinforces the importance of treating digital health as an ecosystem rather than an isolated application.
The objective of implementation should be to create a system that staff can actually use effectively every day.