Managing health records in the Bulawayo and Matabeleland South provinces hospitals,Zimbabwe

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the management of health records in the Bulawayo and Matabeleland South provinces in Zimbabwe. The objectives of the study were to understand how health records were being managed in the two hospitals, to establish the availability of, and analyse standard procedures and guidelines that informed both the National Archives of Zimbabwe (NAZ) and hospitals in managing health records. The study also sought to establish the level of professional training for health records management staff in hospitals under study. A qualitative case study design was employed and data was gathered through questionnaires, interviews, observation and document analysis. Data was analysed thematically based on the objectives of the study. The study revealed that the strategies for the management of health records in hospitals were inadequate. There were no documented health records management standards to guide the management of these records in hospitals. It was also established that the majority of health records personnel in hospitals did not possess records management qualifications. As a recommendation, the hospitals and NAZ should draft and implement health records management standards to provide guidance on the management of health records. Hospitals should employ staff with the requisite records management qualifications and offer them continuous training.