INFLUENCE OF HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEM ON HEALTH SERVICE DELIVERY AT KAKAMEGA COUNTY GENERAL TEACHING AND REFERRAL HOSPITAL, KAKAMEGA COUNTY, KENYA

The importance of Health Information System (HIS) in improving patient care and health service delivery has become increasingly relevant worldwide. This research aimed to investigate the influence of HIS on health service delivery in Kakamega County General and Teaching Hospital in Kenya. The main objective of this research was to investigate the influence of HIS on Health Service Delivery at Kakamega County General Teaching and Referral Hospital. Specific objectives are; to determine the influence of record-keeping information systems on service delivery, to assess how Computerized Physician Order Entry influences service delivery, to determine the influence of financial management information systems on service delivery and to determine the influence of human resource information management systems on service delivery at Kakamega County General Teaching and Referral Hospital. The study used descriptive cross-sectional study design to collect, analyze and present data. A simple random sample of 167 healthcare professionals were drawn from a population of 285 healthcare professionals. A questionnaire was the main data collection tool. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analysis to determine the influence of HIS on Health Service Delivery. The results of the study indicate that Health Information Systems (HIS) enhance service delivery at Kakamega County Teaching and Referral Hospital by 16.5% through improved record-keeping, efficient financial management, and effective human resource management. The study concludes that integrating advanced HIS technologies leads to better clinical outcomes, streamlined operations, and a motivated healthcare workforce. It is recommended that healthcare facilities prioritize ongoing training, increase budgetary allocations for HIS implementation, and address human resource challenges to further improve service delivery. The outcomes of this research can guide in the formulation of best practices for implementation in Health Information System management strategies used by healthcare establishments not only in Kenya, but other African Nations. These best practices will improve accessibility to healthcare data protection and contribute to the delivery of quality healthcare services. The study will also provide insights into the effectiveness of HIS policies and practices in Kenya, which was useful in informing policy decisions.