Assessment of the Quality of Routine Information on the Care of the Patients with Diabetes Mellitus in Rural Health Centers of Sari County, Iran

Quality information is essential for evidence-based decision-making and improving the performance of the healthcare system. Hence, health information management system should be continuously monitored. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of routine information on the care of patients with diabetes mellitus in rural health centers of Sari County, Iran.

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018. The statistical population included routine statistical reports of the patients with diabetes mellitus in all rural health centers of Sari County. The sample size was 30 rural health centers selected using census sampling method. Data were collected using a validated Performance of Routine Information Systems Management (PRISM) tool, which had four dimensions including timeliness, accuracy, completeness, and data processing. The gathered data were reported using descriptive statistics.

81.50 percent of data was timely. The accuracy of the data was between 39.99 and 53.33 percent, and the overall compliance was 16.67 percent. 94.90 percent of the quarterly reports of the patients with diabetes mellitus was complete. 86.66 percent of the units calculated the indicators for their own units, summarized the reports, and compared the performance of the service-provider units. However, the comparative indicators of the related activity were neglected.

According to the results of this study, the accuracy of data in rural health centers is not optimal. Logically, the existing weaknesses prevent the attainment of data collection purpose, which in turn makes its citation and use unattainable.