Management information systems are the systems that enable an organization's management to make decisions regarding their operations. Management information systems generally entail computer-based systems that provide managers with the tools for performing managerial duties, which include analysis, planning, control, and coordination of the departments in the organization or corporate (Goldschmidt, 2015). A management information system is vital for the efficient running of an organization through provision of software that helps in decision-making. The system also provides databases that are resourceful in secretarial tasks such as data storage, data analysis, and presentation, as well as, the dissemination of information in the organization.
Management information systems (MIS) are widely employed in health organizations for various roles especially data storage, data handling, and data retrieval in order to improve the quality of health services offered by these organizations. Application of technology in the health domain has been on the rise across the globe for many other reasons, which include saving labor costs, better planning, better health care and improved monitoring of functioning of hospitals by the management (Vaishya, 2018).
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One of the medical organizations that has effectively applied the use of MIS in carrying out its services is the Apollo group of hospitals. The incorporation of MIS in this organization has played a significant role in improving decision-making and medical services delivered to the clients. The Apollo hospital has utilized information systems in managing the trivial task of operating all of its 19 hospitals. The organization has used MIS in improving service delivery given that they have online paying systems for their customers which helps in avoiding long and time-consuming queues in the hospitals. Apollo hospitals also have electronic health records for all patient’s details including their personal details, diseases, medical progress, and reasons for the disease. The organization have integrated both front office operations and back-office operations, where they use UHID card online registration systems. The hospital has combined telecom, email, and the various social media portals to enable the patients to get access to their appropriate blood donor when in need. The Apollo hospitals have also employed MIS in HR management. Through the HR modules, they have information about the doctors' salaries and payroll systems, the doctors' performance from their first working day, and the also the department performance, which is in turn used to monitor the hospital branches' performance.
Another organization which has effectively embraced the idea of management information systems in hospitals is the Upper River Valley hospital in, Canada. Like the Apollo hospitals, the hospital is ranked among one of the most technologically advanced in the world owing to its wide usage of MIS in its operations. Upper River Valley hospital was officially opened in 2007 and is regarded to be entirely ‘paperless' because of its advancements. Like the Apollo hospitals, the hospital has an electronic documentation system. Unlike the Apollo hospitals, this hospital has a portable bedside computer where the patient's information is stored from their personal information to their ailments, treatments, and medical progress. This has served to make access to health information by the physicians and other health providers easier. Also, like the Apollo hospitals, the Upper river valley hospital has employed MIS in HR management staff. Thus, through their electronic data systems, they have information on the doctors' salaries and payroll systems, as well as, the doctors assessed performance from their first working day. The hospital also has an internal modern communication system through which physicians and other medical practitioners can consult and discuss about the operations in the hospital.
Both organizations reap significantly from the implementation of MIS in their operations, and this has played a significant part on the success of these hospitals. One way in which they have gained an advantage over their competitors is the provision of easier access to patient data; the physicians in the hospitals unlike in other hospitals need not go manually to search for an IPD file as the mere logging into the hospital information system gives them quick access to the information they require. The MIS implemented in the two hospitals is also economical as it helps the organization cut out on labor costs in the hospitals, for example, secretarial tasks which involve documentation and record keeping (Heeks 2006).
The application of modernized MIS has also enabled organizations to reduce medical errors that are related to record keeping and patient assessments (Goldschmidt, 2015). The MIS has also played a significant part in improving patient care through enhanced work efficiency and even faster clinical decisions. The information stored electronically has greater security and privacy coupled with limited access for only the relevant parties. Also, the data stored by the databases offered by MIS is retrievable in cases where previous referrals are required. As such, these hospitals earn a competitive advantage with regards to electronic health records, which also enhance service delivery to the clients. MIS, however, can be expensive when it comes to maintenance where the organization has to employ new personnel to take care of the systems. The data is also vulnerable to cyber-crimes such as hacking and can also be destroyed by viruses.
References
Goldschmidt, P. G. (2015). HIT and MIS: implications of health information technology and medical information systems. Communications of the ACM , 48 (10), 68-74.
Heeks, R. (2006). Health information systems: Failure, success and improvisation. International journal of medical informatics , 75 (2), 125-137.
Vaishya, R. (2018). Innovations and new technology in orthopedic and trauma surgery. Apollo Medicine , 15 (2), 50-50.
