Standards and Guidelines for Electronic Medical Record Systems in ...

Monitoring is an ongoing, continuous process of collecting data at multiple points during the
implementation process to ascertain whether set implementation milestones are met or not
whereas evaluation measures how well the EMR implementation objectives have been met 30 .
Evaluation aims at determining how well the main goals of an EMR system have been met by
answering the following questions:
a) Does the EMR improve patient care?
b) Does the EMR improve record keeping?
c) Does the EMR improve reporting?
M&E is a continuous process and should be conducted through the entire life of the EMR and set
intervals. M&E assessments seek to ascertain that implementations and operations are on track and
that standards are adhered to. M&E activities for EMR systems aim at generating lessons learned
and best practices that inform further EMR roll out efforts.
Different types of monitoring and evaluation strategies and methodologies may be employed for
M&E.
1. All EMR implementations shall have a monitoring and evaluation plan to guide
implementation and evaluate successes and failures.
2. The implementation team should identify and document key process milestones that
will be used to monitor the EMR installations.
3. Additionally, the team should define key questions and outcome indicators for periodic
evaluation of the EMR systems based on the overall objectives and expectations.
Annex H provides a draft Monitoring and Evaluation Plan whereas Annex I offers guidance on how
to evaluate the use of an EMR system within the functional areas of an HIV clinic.
30 Strategies for building National-Scale longitudinal patient monitoring systems for HIV treatment
and care in PEPFAR countries: Developing and Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system
Implementation Plan.
Standards and Guidelines for Electronic Medical Records Systems in Kenya 77