A Framework for an E-Health System for Zambian Health Centres that incorporates Data Mining Reporting

Abstract

The implementation of e-health systems enables healthcare organizations to streamline multiple processes and deliver services more efficiently, resulting in cost savings. Health facilities in Zambia have adopted SmartCare e-health to manage the out-patients but there have been some identified technical and organisational challenges. The current SmartCare is not web based hence making it difficult for health personnel to access it anywhere since the card readers are only stationed in health facilities. The cards are susceptible to being destroyed as they are inserted in various card readers. SmartCare has no centralised database which could also provide real time patient data. This study sought to create a web-based e-health system for a health centre in Zambia, which includes reporting through data mining. This is achieved by use of a centralised database that can be accessed anywhere at any time. In addition, the proposed design integrates python engine to facilitate data mining reporting. Design Science and Data Mining Model development research methodology was adopted for this study.