Adoption Factors Of Hospital Management Information Systems In Selected Hospitals In Meru County, Kenya

ABSTRACT

Despite the potential of Hospital Management Information systems (HMIS) to significatly reduce medical errors, streamline clinical processes, contain healthcare costs and ultimately improve the quality of healthcare, their adoption by hospitals in Kenya has been slow. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of; technological factors, organizational factors and environmental factors on the adoption of HMIS in selected hospitals in Meru County. The study adopted survey research design. The target population was 447 system users from selected hospitals in Meru County. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select the respondents. Questionnaires were administered to a sample of 148 respondents from the selected hospitals out of which 120 were filled and returned. Data was analysed by use of descriptive and inferential statistical techniques with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The results are presented in tables and charts. The findings of the study revealed that Technological and organizational factors do not have significant influence on the adoption of hospital management information systems in selected hospitals in Meru County. However, contrary to other technological factors, cost was found to be significant. In addition, Environmental factors were significant to the adoption of hospital management information systems. Therefore, the study recommends training of employees on information systems by healthcare facilities. The County Government of Meru in collaboration with healthcare facilities should foster private-private and publicprivate partnerships to facilitate cost sharing in the adoption of hospital management information systems. Further, the county in collaboration with national government should subsidize software and hardware to help small healthcare facilities adopt systems. The County Ministry of Education in collaboration with National Government should incorporate information systems training in all courses to facilitate systems adoption. The study also recommends that County Government formulates policies on ICT adoption in Meru County to provide guidance to healthcare institutions. Further, the county should deploy a network of health information management systems for use across the entire county health sector.