Assessment of Health Information Management Practices among Health Information Management Professionals in Hospitals in Bayelsa State

This study assessed health information management practices in hospitals in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Specifically, it examined the health information management practices adopted by Health Information Management (HIM) professionals, the extent of health record collection, processing, storage, retrieval and maintenance, the level of health information quality, the use of electronic health information systems, and the challenges affecting effective health information management. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted. The study population comprised HIM professionals working in hospitals in Bayelsa State. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection, and 187 questionnaires were administered, of which 173 were properly completed and returned, representing a 92.5% response rate. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages and mean scores. A four-point rating scale was used, with a criterion mean of 2.50 for decision-making. The findings showed that health information management practices were generally well established, with an overall mean of 3.30. The collection, processing, storage, retrieval and maintenance of health records also recorded a high overall mean of 3.32. Data quality practices were similarly rated highly, with a grand mean of 3.32, particularly in relation to checking records for completeness and accuracy. Electronic and digital health information systems were moderately to highly utilised, with an overall mean of 3.18, although weaknesses were observed in data backup, paper-electronic reconciliation, staff training and system maintenance. The major challenges affecting effective HIM practice were unstable electricity, inadequate ICT infrastructure, poor internet connectivity, heavy workload, inadequate staffing and insufficient funding. The study concluded that although HIM practices in hospitals in Bayelsa State were generally satisfactory, infrastructural, human-resource and organisational challenges continued to limit their effectiveness. It recommended improved staffing, reliable electricity and internet connectivity, adequate ICT infrastructure, continuous professional training, regular data-quality audits and stronger institutional support for HIM services.