Extent of electronic health billing system and healthcare service delivery in government owned system in Cross River State, Nigeria

Authors

Dr. Oluwaseun Omowumi Akin-Fakorede Department of Library and Information Science Faculty of Social Science University of Calabar, Calabar. https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0111-4643
Ifere, Mimi-Patricia Eugene (CLN) Department of Library and Information Science Faculty of social science University of Calabar, Calabar https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2649-266X
Henry Luter Songu (CLN) Department of Library and Information Science Faculty of Social Science University of Calabar, Calabar. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8299-9537

Electronic Health Records, Healthcare Service Delivery, Government-Owned Hospitals, Manual Record-Keeping, Electronic Billing Systems

This study, titled "Extent of Electronic Health Billing System and Healthcare Service

Delivery in Government-Owned Facilities in Cross River State, Nigeria," examines the

impact of electronic billing systems on healthcare delivery within the Southern zone of

Cross River State. Despite the global transition to digital health records, this region

remains reliant on manual record-keeping systems that are prone to damage,

deterioration, and loss, thereby compromising the integrity and continuity of

healthcare services. The lack of requisite knowledge, manpower, and infrastructure

within government healthcare facilities hinders the effective implementation of

electronic health record (EHR) systems, perpetuating reliance on traditional analog

methods.

To assess the influence of electronic billing systems on healthcare delivery, a

survey design was employed. A total of 749 participants, including 355 medical

personnel and 355 inpatients from six hospitals, were surveyed using stratified

proportionate random sampling. Descriptive statistics, such as mean and standard

deviation, were utilized to analyse the collected data.

The results indicates that state-owned hospitals in the Southern Zone of

Cross River State fail to provide comprehensive healthcare services adequately.

Furthermore, the electronic billing system significantly impacts the efficiency of

payment processing in these healthcare facilities. The study advocates for the

enhanced implementation of electronic health billing systems, increased training and

education on EHRs, and the promotion of research and development in healthcare

technology to improve service delivery outcomes.