Paediatric Admissions and Outcomes in A Digitally-Enabled Primary Health Care Facility in Southern Nigeria: A Retrospective Analysis Following EMR Deployment
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Abstract
Background: Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) are transforming healthcare globally, by improving efficiency, documentation accuracy, and patient outcomes. In Nigeria, where primary health care (PHC) facilities often face infrastructural and staffing constraints, EMRs offer a pathway for systemic reform.
Aim: To evaluate paediatric admission patterns and outcomes following EMR implementation by Renaissance Africa Energy Company (Renaissance) at Obio Cottage Hospital (OCH), Port Harcourt, and to compare these findings with published national PHC performance indicators.
Methods: This retrospective observational study analyzed EMR data from all paediatric admissions between September 2024 and June 2025. Demographic, diagnostic, and outcome data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Comparative insights were drawn from published national PHC studies.
Results: Of 771 admissions, 397 (51.5%) were neonates. The leading neonatal diagnoses were neonatal jaundice (66.2%) and sepsis (22.4%), while gastroenteritis (24.1%) and upper respiratory tract infections (23.5%) predominated among older children. Most patients (90.1%) were discharged, 4.2% referred, and mortality was 0.3%. Patient outcome was significantly associated with length of hospital stay (χ2 = 23.704, p = 0.000). Compared with national PHC benchmarks, OCH demonstrated superior documentation, improved referral coordination, and better patient outcomes.
Conclusion: EMR implementation at OCH and enhanced financing through community-based insurance enabled by a Public-Private-People Partnership can dramatically improve paediatric outcomes in PHC settings. The OCH model demonstrates that with sufficient investment, PHC facilities can effectively manage common paediatric conditions, achieve low mortality, and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s child survival goals.
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