Towards a design of E-Health systems to improving healthcare service delivery

Abstract

Patients’ medical records are critical to services, it helps to prevent errors in prescriptions and medications. Despite the understanding of these consequential risks to patients, medical errors remain prevalence in South Africa and many parts of the world. Empirically, this study reports medical errors and their consequences to patients. Qualitative and quantitative data relating to healthcare services delivery were used. The interpretation of the data reveals that medical errors manifest wrong medications, misrepresentations in prescriptions and mismanagement by facility. Also, patients’ lack of access to medical records and the use of incomplete medical records were other factors identified. This study lays justification and motivation for patients’ unique identifier, which contributes to improving the quality of healthcare service delivery.