Health Information Systems in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Short Survey of Experiences and Lessons Learned From the European Region

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 crisis provides an opportunity to reflect on what worked during the pandemic, what could have been done differently, and what innovations should become part of an enhanced health information system in the future.Methods: An online qualitative survey was designed and administered online in November 2020 to all the 37 Member States that are part of the WHO European Health Information Initiative and the WHO Central Asian Republics Information Network.Results: Nineteen countries responded to the survey (Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Finland, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Russian Federation, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom, and Uzbekistan). The COVID-19 pandemic required health information systems (HIS) to rapidly adapt to identify, collect, store, manage, and transmit accurate and timely COVID-19 related data. HIS stakeholders have been put to the test, and valuable experience has been gained. Despite critical gaps such as under-resourced public health services, obsolete health information technologies, and lack of interoperability, most countries believed that their information systems had worked reasonably well in addressing the needs arising during the COVID-19 pandemic.Conclusion: Strong enabling environments and advanced and digitized health information systems are vital to controlling epidemics. Sustainable finance and government support are required for the continued implementation and enhancement of HIS. It is important to promote digital solutions beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. Now is the time to discuss potential solutions to obtain timely, accurate, and reliable health information and steer policy-making while protecting privacy rights and meeting the highest ethical standards.

Improving morbidity information in Portugal: Evidence from data linkage of COVID-19 cases surveillance and mortality systems

“… [32] The COVID-19 pandemic has elicited the need of improving the HIS as a preparedness strategy for future pandemics. [4] In addition, this information, together with data on the COVID-19 outcomes, are valuable to support decisions on how to allocate resources, allowing to anticipate hospitalization or intensive care beds occupation and its length, needed treatments, or other long-term outcomes. [32] …”

“…Given the urgency of the phenomenon and the need for timely available data, health information systems (HIS) play an essential role in providing information to health authorities. [4] The discussion around the ability of health care systems to take advantage of exchange information and interoperability between HIS is not new. [5] Among the benefits elicited so far is the potential to generate financial savings within total health expenditures [6] and public health through improved patient care [7] , [8] .…”

“…Although health information exchange within HIS should be promoted beyond the COVID-19 crisis [4] , the relevance of a robust and interoperable HIS for public health decision-making [9] has been highlighted during this pandemic. [4] , [10] Throughout this health crisis, measures such as the surveillance of infections, contact tracing and the characterisation of deaths have been essential to monitor the overall epidemic impact and generate evidence to inform policymaking in adjusting or implementing other public health interventions.…”

Evaluation of Non-Pharmacological Measures Implemented in the Management of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Romania

“…The results of this study, together with other international studies [ 8 , 35 ], show the importance of non-pharmacological measures in managing a pandemic in which there is no specific treatment or vaccine. The experience gained by managing this period of the pandemic may be of use in future confrontations in the development of pandemics through other micro-organisms [ 36 ].…”

Analisis Strategi Sistem Informasi dan Teknologi Informasi Pada RS ABC Surabaya di Masa Pandemi COVID-19 Menggunakan Model Ward and Peppard

“…Permasalahan yang dialami oleh RS ABC Surabaya juga terjadi di beberapa RS yang ada di Indonesia [12][13][14] [15]. Banyak rumah sakit yang mengalami merasakan bahwa tujuan penerapan SI/TI yang ada masih belum selaras dengan tujuan bisnis, baik sebelum maupun disaat pandemi COVID-19 [15][16] [9][17] [18]. Namun faktanya kondisi ini tidak hanya di Indonesia, di beberapa negara lain seperti Malaysia, Yordania dan Iran juga mengalami kendala yang sama dalam penerapan SI/TI [19][20] [21][22] [23].…”