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Abstract:
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This study focuses on records management in support of service delivery in the public health
sector of Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study sought to investigate whether the
current records-keeping practices support or undermine service delivery and the e-health
readiness level. Mixed methods were used for the survey. Questionnaires, observation and
interviews were used to collect data. Purposive sampling method was used to identify
interview participants and stratified random sampling for questionnaire participants. The total
population of the study was 324 from which 210 participants were sampled. The response
rate was 77% (162).
The study discovered that records management negatively affected timely and effective
health care services. This resulted in long patient waiting times and patients being treated
without their medical history records. The study recommended the introduction of an
electronic records management system capable of capturing and providing access to a full
patient record and tracking paper record movement. |
