Experience implementing electronic health records in three East African countries.
BACKGROUND
Efficient use of health care resources in low-income countries by providers and local and national managers requires timely access to patient data.


OBJECTIVE
To implement electronic health records (EHRs) in HIV clinics in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.


RESULTS
We initially developed and implemented an EHR in Kenya through a mature academic partnership. The EHR was then implemented in six HIV clinics in Tanzania and Uganda in collaboration with their National AIDS Control Programmes. All implementations were successful, but the system's use and sustainability varied depending on who controlled clinic funding.


CONCLUSIONS
Successful EHR use and sustainability were enhanced by local control of funds, academic partnerships (mainly by leveraging research funds), and in-country technology support.
Tierney
William M
WM
Indiana University School of Medicin, Regenstrief Institute, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
Achieng
Marion
M
Baker
Elaine
E
Bell
April
A
Biondich
Paul
P
Braitstein
Paula
P
Kayiwa
Daniel
D
Kimaiyo
Sylvester
S
Mamlin
Burke
B
McKown
Brian
B
Musinguzi
Nicholas
N
Nyandiko
Winstone
W
Rotich
Joseph
J
Sidle
John
J
Siika
Abraham
A
Were
Martin
M
Wolfe
Ben
B
Wools-Kaloustian
Kara
K
Yeung
Ada
A
Yiannoutsos
Constantin
C
D000351:Africa, Eastern; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D057286:Electronic Health Records / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014600:Utilization Review