Health Information Systems for Older Persons in Select Government Tertiary Hospitals and Health Centers in the Philippines: Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background The rapid aging of the world’s population requires systems that support health facilities’ provision of integrated care at multiple levels of the health care system. The use of health information systems (HISs) at the point of care has shown positive effects on clinical processes and patient health in several settings of care. Objective We sought to describe HISs for older persons (OPs) in select government tertiary hospitals and health centers in the Philippines. Specifically, we aimed to review the existing policies and guidelines related to HISs for OPs in the country, determine the proportion of select government hospitals and health centers with existing health information specific for OPs, and describe the challenges related to HISs in select health facilities. Methods We utilized the data derived from the findings of the Focused Interventions for Frail Older Adults Research and Development Project (FITforFrail), a cross-sectional and ethics committee–approved study. A facility-based listing of services and human resources specific to geriatric patients was conducted in purposively sampled 27 tertiary government hospitals identified as geriatric centers and 16 health centers across all regions in the Philippines. We also reviewed the existing policies and guidelines related to HISs for OPs in the country. Results Based on the existing guidelines, multiple agencies were involved in the provision of services for OPs, with several records containing health information of OPs. However, there is no existing HIS specific for OPs in the country. Only 14 (52%) of the 27 hospitals and 4 (25%) of the 16 health centers conduct comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). All tertiary hospitals and health centers are able to maintain medical records of their patients, and almost all (26/27, 96%) hospitals and all (16/16, 100%) health centers have data on top causes of morbidity and mortality. Meanwhile, the presence of specific disease registries varied per hospitals and health centers. Challenges to HISs include the inability to update databases due to inadequately trained personnel, use of an offline facility–based HIS, an unstable internet connection, and technical issues and nonuniform reporting of categories for age group classification. Conclusions Current HISs for OPs are characterized by fragmentation, multiple sources, and inaccessibility. Barriers to achieving appropriate HISs for OPs include the inability to update HISs in hospitals and health centers and a lack of standardization by age group and disease classification. Thus, we recommend a 1-person, 1-record electronic medical record system for OPs and the disaggregation and analysis across demographic and socioeconomic parameters to inform policies and programs that address the complex needs of OPs. CGA as a required routine procedure for all OPs and its integration with the existing HISs in the country are also recommended.

A Systematic Literature Review of Health Information Systems for Healthcare

“…From the conception of HIS and the records of its evolution, significant achievements have been attained that are demonstrated at different levels of its structural deployment. HIS deployment in several settings of healthcare have positively influenced clinical processes and patients’ outcomes [ 17 ]. Globally, the need for HIS within the healthcare system is critical in the enhancement of healthcare.…”

“…The current state of HIS is considered to be inadequate despite its numerus deployment of HIS that has been driven by its potential benefit to uplift healthcare and revolutionize its processes [ 17 , 18 ]. The persistence of many constraints and resistance to technology has resulted to the incapacitation of HIS in the attainment of its objectives.…”

“…The extant literature reveals several challenges in different categories, such as the inadequacy of human resources and technological convergence within the healthcare [ 18 ], highlighting the evidence of limitations of HIS that restrict their utilization and deployment within the healthcare. Although several authors identified the unique disposition of HIS in integrating care and unifying the health process, these perspectives seems to be marred by the presence of barriers [ 17 , 19 ]. Garcia, De la Vega [ 17 ] alleged that the current HIS deployment is characterized by fragmentation, update instability, and lack of standardization that limit its potential to aid healthcare.…”

“…Although several authors identified the unique disposition of HIS in integrating care and unifying the health process, these perspectives seems to be marred by the presence of barriers [ 17 , 19 ]. Garcia, De la Vega [ 17 ] alleged that the current HIS deployment is characterized by fragmentation, update instability, and lack of standardization that limit its potential to aid healthcare. Congruently, several authors associated the lack of awareness of HIS potential, the underuse HIS, inadequate communication network, and security and confidentiality concerns among the barriers limiting HIS [ 20 ].…”

Assessment of the Healthcare Administration of Senior Citizens from Survey Data using Sentiment Analysis

“…As of 2015, 7.4% of the population was over 60 years old, and by 2045, 15.9% of people are expected to be over 60 years old [4]. Given the rapidly aging population, the complexity of senior citizens' needs, the significance of health information in service delivery, and the difficulties associated with health information in general, it is crucial to ascertain the state of senior citizens' healthcare system to coordinate the country's healthcare services and promote healthy aging [5]. Increasing access to high-quality healthcare is of the utmost importance in emerging countries like the Philippines, and the government needs to be committed to enhancing the healthcare system, especially for vulnerable populations like senior citizens [6].…”