Strengthening routine health information system reporting to support data-driven hospital management: implementation at a tertiary hospital
1
Community Health, Wits School of Public Health, Johannesburg, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1830
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Digital health technologies are central to strengthening health systems, with health information systems forming a core building block for data-driven decision-making.1 In many low- and middle-income settings, routine health information system (RHIS) data are characterised by poor data quality, delayed reporting and limited use for management.2 Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH) previously relied on a hybrid paper-based and electronic approach to routine data collection and reporting, resulting in inefficiencies, reporting delays and challenges in data verification. This project aimed to implement an electronic RHIS data collection and reporting tool to improve data quality, reporting efficiency and accessibility of information for hospital management.
METHODS:
An electronic data collection tool (EDCT) and reporting dashboard were developed and implemented at CHBAH between March and November 2024. The intervention targeted aggregated patient data, theatre utilisation and facility and logistics indicators across various departments. Implementation followed the three phases of Kotter’s change management model. Routine monitoring was conducted to assess system uptake, data completeness and reporting processes during implementation.
RESULTS:
The EDCT and dashboard were implemented in June 2024 across multiple functional business units. The transition from hybrid paper-based reporting to electronic submission enabled same-day access to aggregated facility data and reduced reliance on manual data collation. Early implementation outcomes included improved completeness of mandatory data fields, increased timeliness of routine reporting and enhanced accessibility of data for management review. Dashboard outputs were used in executive management meetings to monitor bed status, theatre utilisation and critical resource availability. Ongoing training and quality improvement activities supported user adoption and data quality.
CONCLUSIONS:
The implementation of an electronic RHIS at CHBAH was feasible and improved the timeliness and accessibility of routine data for managerial decision-making. Early operational outcomes suggest that electronic data collection and reporting strengthen data quality and support data-driven hospital management.
Digital health technologies are central to strengthening health systems, with health information systems forming a core building block for data-driven decision-making.1 In many low- and middle-income settings, routine health information system (RHIS) data are characterised by poor data quality, delayed reporting and limited use for management.2 Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH) previously relied on a hybrid paper-based and electronic approach to routine data collection and reporting, resulting in inefficiencies, reporting delays and challenges in data verification. This project aimed to implement an electronic RHIS data collection and reporting tool to improve data quality, reporting efficiency and accessibility of information for hospital management.
METHODS:
An electronic data collection tool (EDCT) and reporting dashboard were developed and implemented at CHBAH between March and November 2024. The intervention targeted aggregated patient data, theatre utilisation and facility and logistics indicators across various departments. Implementation followed the three phases of Kotter’s change management model. Routine monitoring was conducted to assess system uptake, data completeness and reporting processes during implementation.
RESULTS:
The EDCT and dashboard were implemented in June 2024 across multiple functional business units. The transition from hybrid paper-based reporting to electronic submission enabled same-day access to aggregated facility data and reduced reliance on manual data collation. Early implementation outcomes included improved completeness of mandatory data fields, increased timeliness of routine reporting and enhanced accessibility of data for management review. Dashboard outputs were used in executive management meetings to monitor bed status, theatre utilisation and critical resource availability. Ongoing training and quality improvement activities supported user adoption and data quality.
CONCLUSIONS:
The implementation of an electronic RHIS at CHBAH was feasible and improved the timeliness and accessibility of routine data for managerial decision-making. Early operational outcomes suggest that electronic data collection and reporting strengthen data quality and support data-driven hospital management.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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