ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF THE USAGE OF ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORDS ON QUALITY OF HEALTHCARE DELIVERY BY STAFF OF ST. MARY’S HOSPITAL, DROBO IN JAMAN SOUTH MUNICIPALITY

ABSTRACT: Background: Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) have become essential tools for improving healthcare efficiency, accuracy, and patient safety. In Ghana, however, healthcare institutions continue to face challenges in sustaining effective EMR utilization due to infrastructural and human-capacity constraints. This study assessed the extent of EMR usage and its influence on … See more

ABSTRACT: Background: Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) have become essential tools for improving healthcare efficiency, accuracy, and patient safety. In Ghana, however, healthcare institutions continue to face challenges in sustaining effective EMR utilization due to infrastructural and human-capacity constraints. This study assessed the extent of EMR usage and its influence on healthcare delivery among staff at St. Mary’s Hospital, while examining user perceptions and identifying barriers affecting system performance.

Methods: A cross-sectional mixed-method design was employed, involving 300 healthcare workers drawn from clinical and administrative departments. Quantitative data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, regression, and ANOVA in SPSS. Qualitative data from open-ended responses were analyzed thematically to capture user experiences and contextual insights.

Results; Findings revealed a high level of EMR utilization (M = 3.78), with significant relationships between EMR use and healthcare outcomes such as timeliness, accuracy, and effectiveness (r = 0.548–0.612, p < 0.01). Regression results showed that EMR documentation accuracy (β = 0.284, p < 0.001) and frequency of system logins (β = 0.234, p = 0.001) were strong predictors of service quality. Staff perceptions were overwhelmingly positive (M = 3.97), emphasizing efficiency, accountability, and data integrity. However, persistent challenges particularly poor network connectivity (M = 4.22), power fluctuations (M = 4.15), and inadequate training (M = 4.07) significantly reduced system performance (R² = 0.52, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The study concludes that EMR systems have substantially improved healthcare delivery at St. Mary’s Hospital but remain constrained by infrastructural and technical limitations. Continuous staff training, strengthened ICT infrastructure, and proactive managerial oversight are essential to sustain EMR effectiveness and ensure long term digital transformation within Ghana’s healthcare sector.

See less