Management information systems

Search questions
What should the systems ensure? What do we need to know about the data? What are the four essential components of a Management Information System? How can we improve quality of information?

Information systems
The systems in place need to ensure:
Coverage Timeliness Peripheral use Central use

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The data

What do I need to know?

How often must I know it? How urgent is the need? requirements should be as low as is commensurate with good control

Since reporting is an overhead burden the

Information for action

The management information system must be designed to provide information that is:

Timely and available for programme improvement Relevant to programme management and data

needs

Decentralized and useful for programme involvement at all levels of the health system

Essential components of MIS

There are four interrelated components. Monitoring programme process to: Document whether activities are carried out as planned Ensure accountability Detect deviation from the plan and problems early Evaluation of programme outputs (target achievement)

Essential components of MIS

Systems research to answer questions tied to specific interventions and services Periodic programme reviews as a basis for reprogramming including an assessment of Quality of policy Effectiveness and efficiency of interventions Sustainability Programme management practices and procedures

Information quality
A core set of standard methods and measures should provide a starting point for Programme Managers to improve the quality of information This will increase data consistency, make it easier to compare results and share experiences