Promoting health information system in guiding decisions for improving performance: an intervention study at the Research Institute of Ophthalmology, Giza, Egypt.

Objectives: This study aims to design and test a platform of key performance indicators (KPIs) and indices emphasizing achievements and improvement and helping decision-making.

Methods: An operations research study was designed to analyze data from the Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) from July 2017 to June 2018 at the Research Institute of Ophthalmology (RIO), Giza, Egypt. The HMIS data were submitted to reform covering parameters in service delivery and corresponding indicators and indices. Data were grouped into four themes: human resources and outpatient, inpatient, and surgical operations. A total of 14 performance indicators were deployed to four specific indices and total performance indices and applied to six teams of ophthalmologists at RIO. The decision matrices were deliberated to demonstrate achievements and provide recommendations for subsequent improvements.

Results: Throughout 1 year, six teams of ophthalmologists ( = 222) at RIO provided the following services: outpatient ( = 116,043), inpatient ( = 8,081), and surgical operations ( = 9,174). Teams 2, 1, and 6 were the top teams in the total performance index. Team 4 had plunges in the outpatient index, and Team 5 faced limitations in the inpatient index.

Conclusion: The study provided a model for upgrading the performance of the management information system (MIS) in health organizations. The KPIs and indices were used not only for documenting successful models of efficient service delivery but also as examples of limitations for further support and interventions.