Browsing by Author "Malahleha, Mafumane Alice"

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    Enhancing the effectiveness of data management to improve data quality for evidence-based decision-making : a case study of Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-03) Malahleha, Mafumane Alice; Ajam, Tania; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. School of Public Leadership.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: We are currently living in an era where effective data management has become a critical process for improving data quality and informing rational management decision-making across organisations. New technologies show promising results globally for managing data. The healthcare sector produces heterogenous data daily and big data solutions are used internationally to manage voluminous data as traditional data management systems cannot keep up. In the healthcare sector, the need for effective decision-making is high and the consequences of ill-informed decisions could lead to loss of life; this compels the decision-makers to have real-time data, sound data management policies and other essential resources to manage and improve the quality of data produced and used to inform such decisions. Good data management practices can assist in minimising potential errors by establishing efficient processes and policies for usage and building confidence in the data being used to make rational decisions about patient care and health outcomes across healthcare institutions. The study aims to enhance the effectiveness of data management practices at Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital to improve data quality for evidence-based decision-making. A qualitative case study approach is utilised. Self-administered questionnaires and semi-structured interviews have been deployed as data collection methods, purposeful sampling was done and an appropriate sample size was selected. The findings of the study revealed that gradual adoption of new technologies can assist in overcoming the system fragmentation and harmonise data management practices for improved data quality that can be used confidently for evidence-based decision-making. Management support is key to achieving data of high quality and there is a need to comply with data management human resource requirements as stipulated in the District Health Information Management Systems policy. The placement of data management personnel on the organogram needs urgent management attention if the hospital is to maintain high data quality and enhance data management practices. This will also assist in role clarification in data management activities and improve levels of accountability and ownership of data produced.