Management Information System
A
harmonized computer-based management information system was planned for the
RBCs and their affiliated HBBs which will allow rational decision making
regarding the Blood Transfusion Services, facilitate haemovigilance and
contribute to blood safety. The MIS system was procured through the KfW support
in 2014 for the 10 RBCs. The new system was installed in the blood centres and
staff trained. The process involved visits by international experts and
comprehensive national consultations.
MIS Functional Brief
Supported by an international short term expert, Dr. Hynek Kruzik, MIS
brief was drafted to achieve consensus by the implementing partners. MIS has a crucial role in BTS as it
improves the overall decision making process by making available comprehensive
and diverse information in an integrated manner. It also reduces the errors and omissions. Current information solutions
do not fully comply with the necessary standards for safe blood transfusion.
Therefore solutions need to be improved to better support the processes in the
Regional Blood Centres being developed through full utilization and support of
bar code automation, enabling full traceability of blood, provision of data
quality, etc. To make the MIS brief
comprehensive, some additional features were included such as screen charts,
rules of data entry, and a feature of traceability for the reliability of the
data. The possibility of alternative system models (centralized vs
decentralized) and data ownership was also discussed. However, all implementing
partners agreed on a centralized architecture including centralized data
warehouse to be operated jointly by all provinces.
Module on Information Management and Management Information
The
training module on ‘Information Management and Management Information’ was
developed following field surveys to several blood banks (public and private)
in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Lahore. Two different target groups were addressed
over a two-day period, namely technicians and middle management and the top
management of several Blood Banks in the aforementioned cities. The module was
effective in providing the participants with awareness about the importance of
optimum data management and the conversion of data into knowledge. Similarly,
the other module on ‘Data Management’ was developed for the Blood Transfusion
Authorities. The module was also effective in sensitizing the participants
about the significance of data management.
Module on Importance of Data Management in Blood Transfusion Services
Training module on importance of data management in blood transfusion
services was prepared to
introduce data managers from service delivery blood establishments and the
regulatory authority into the basics of data management, contribute to the
development of IT supported management and leadership skills to support the
effective implementation of the key WHO strategies for safe blood transfusion.
Collaboration with Punjab IT Board
The Punjab Information Technology Board is a dynamic
public sector organization which has made very significant contributions in
modernizing the public sector in Punjab and the rest of country especially by
developing customized MIS for them with complete backup services. The SBTP is
now collaborating with the PITB to utilize the PITB developed Blood Banking MIS
(developed for Punjab public sector blood banks) for the SBTP Phase II
infrastructure and the entire sector in the country. The PITB is offering its
system to the SBTP without any costs or preconditions. This is a very
significant development and will immensely benefit the blood safety reforms
process in the country.