Experience Implementing Electronic Health Records in the Antenatal Clinic of a Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kenya

INTRODUCTION Electronic health records (EHRs) are receiving a lot of attention for their potential to improve care. OBJECTIVE To develop and implement EHRs in the antenatal clinic (ANC) of a teaching and referral hospital in Western Kenya. RESULTS A multidisciplinary team developed a phased implementation of EHRs in the ANC as part of a CDC-funded effort to develop and implement primary care EHRs in lower level and referral facilities in Kenya comprising a clinic registration system and initial- and return-visit encounter forms that captured and reported data required for reporting. This was successfully done, the EHR fully implemented in the ANC including a reminder system to enhance adherence to care guidelines. CONCLUSIONS It is possible to implement EHRs in a referral hospital ANC.