Influence of ict knowledge on documentation at Embu level 5 hospital in Kenya

Abstract

Introduction: The use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) improves access to health care, success of public health care interventions and reduces shortage of health workers through collaborations when properly utilized. Health care information management system has changed from fully hard copied documents to a mix of both paper, pen and electronic. Paper records were destroyed during hurricane Katrina in the U.S. This made them have a plan on use of electronic records for documentation to prevent data loss and ease access of patient data (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2011). Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of ICT knowledge on utilization of ICT for documentation at Embu leveL5 hospital in Kenya. Methodology: The study used a descriptive cross-sectional design. Qualitative and quantitative data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Stratified and systematic random sampling techniques were used to get a sample of 155 participants from each of the departments in Embu level5 Hospital. Quantitative data collected using questionnaires was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 and presented as both descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings: The study findings indicate that majority of 65% (101) participants were fully knowledgeable on ICT. The remaining section of 35% (54) of the nurses was partially knowledgeable on some of the ICT assessment attributes. A greater proportion of 47.7% (73) of the participants acquired ICT skills from computer training after nurse training while 28(17.%) acquired knowledge through on-job training. there was a significant association between ICT knowledge and utilization of ICT in documentation. This was so because a p 0.05 implied the two variables were statistically significant. Conclusion: The study concluded that utilization of ICT in documentation was affected by; limited knowledge of ICT by nurses; minimal managerial support; template inability to pick some collected data; frequent hardware break down and power failure.