Introduction

The thrust of the health sector is to improve access to quality and efficient health care delivery. Also, the decentralization of the Ministries, Departments and agencies as well as local governance, requires that decision making takes place at all levels of the sectors. Managers therefore require relevant and timely information for decision making at all levels. This implies the collection and analysis of service delivery and managerial information in the health sector. This essential need poses a challenge to the entire information management system both at the facility, district regional and national levels.

Notable among the challenges is the human resource capacity.  There is, therefore, the need to train, resource and deploy a critical cadre of health personnel in the entire spectrum of health information management activities.

In addition, the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme demands accurate documentation of client’s services to justify service provision and related claims submission.

The Certificate in Health Information programme will focus on the basic and essential skills and competencies required in information management activities such as data capture, collation, analysis and reporting to support health care delivery to the client and management at the facility level.

Entry Requirements

1. Applicant must have Senior High School Certificate (SHSCE) aggregate 24 or West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) with aggregate 36 or better which should include credits in three core: English Language, Mathematics and Integrated Science and three elective subjects in the following areas: General Arts, Agric Science and Home Economics. and General Science

1. All diploma students will receive exemptions from the level 100 courses and be eligible for admission to level 200.
2. Medical Assistant will be considered for admission to level 300 of the programme and will as such be able to complete the programme in two years.

1. Mature applicants must be at least 25years at the time of admission and must possess either five credits as GCE O-Level including English language and Mathematics or WASSCE/SSCE with credits in three core subjects (English, Mathematics and Integrated Science) plus three electives in the following areas: General Arts, Agric Science and Home Economics and General Science.

Foreign students may be considered for admission if they hold a qualification equivalent to those stated above, proved they are proficient in English, Equivalent qualifications include; A-levels, High School Diplomas

Rationale for the Programme

The rationale for the programme is to train skilled personnel who would be capable of managing data at all levels where data is generated.

Aims and Objectives

To train personnel to manage data and its related functions in Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs)

The specific objectives of the program are to train students to:

• Receive and register clients/patients
• File and retrieve patient health records and documents
• Acquire skills and competencies in data entry into computers.
• Maintain various client service registers
• Understand and ensure confidentiality relating to client information.
• Acquire skills in the preparation of periodic health statistical reports.
• Acquire skills in the preparation of statistical presentations.
• Understand and classify the coding of morbidity, mortality and surgical procedures.

Philosophy

The Certificate in Health Records Management programme is designed to produce graduates who can provide technical support to national, regional district and sub-district teams in the area of information management.

Accreditation

Accreditation is by the National Accreditation Board.

Affiliation

The affiliating institution is the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Regulatory Body

The regulatory body is the Allied Health Task Force

Grading System

The GPA system shall be graded and defined as follows:

LETTER GRADE	SCORE RANGE (%)	GRADE POINT	DESCRIPTION
A	80-100	4.00	DISTINCTION
B	70-79.99	3.00	CREDIT
C	60-69.99	2.50	AVERAGE
D	50-59.99	1.50	PASS
F	<50	0.00	FAIL
I	0.00	0.00	Incomplete (absent with reason)
X	0.00	0.00	Absent
Z	0.00	0.00	Disqualified

 

Designation	FCGPA Range
DISTINCTION	3.60 – 4.00
CREDIT	3.00 – 3.59
AVERAGE	2.50 – 2.99
PASS	1.50 – 2.49
FAIL	<1.50

Pass Mark

The minimum mark to obtain a pass in a course shall be 50%.

Employment Prospects

The B.Sc. Health Information Management Degree holders have the opportunity of being employed by world organizations such as WHO, UNICEF, USAID, and other NGOs.  They can also be employed by the Ghana Health Service or the Ministry of Health.

Job Description of Graduates

The programme will produce skilled certificate Health Information personnel who will work at service delivery facility points responsible for:

• Receive and register outpatient, inpatients and other clients
• File and retrieve patient health records and documents
• Input client data and research data into computers for further analysis
• Maintain various client service registers
• Ensure confidentiality of client information obtained in the course of professional practice.
• Update and maintain client folders in the department/unit.
• Preparation of periodic health statistical returns.
• Preparation of statistical presentations in the form of graphs and charts
• Assist in coding morbidity, mortality and surgical procedures using ICD and DRG codes.
• Perform any other official duty that may be assigned.