The Strategic Information (SI) Department of IHVN is responsible for managing the documentation, organization, storage, retrieval and dissemination of information to help in strategic decision making that will improve the inputs, processes, outputs and impact of IHVN’s programs with a strong emphasis on quality assurance.

It comprises of three sub-units: Monitoring and Evaluation, Data Management and Health Management Information Systems (HMIS).

The Monitoring & Evaluation unit routinely oversees the collection and collation of program level data from all IHVN’s AIDS Care and Treatment in Nigeria (ACTION) program supported health facilities. The data collected is used to generate program level indicator reports for the Government of Nigeria, the US Government and the Institute on a monthly, quarterly and yearly basis. This unit is also responsible for developing and modifying program related Data Collection Tools (DCT) to meet the needs of the various programs. Trainings, site activations, and providing program monitoring related technical assistance to the facilities and the Government of Nigeria also fall under the deliverables of this unit.

The Data Management unit is responsible for ensuring the quality of program and patient level data collected at all the ACTION supported sites. In doing this the unit carries out monthly, quarterly and bi-annual data quality assessments centrally and at the site level. The Data Management unit is also responsible for analyzing, interpreting and summarizing program and patient level data; design and development of tools and methods for assessments, and evaluation of different program areas. Results of assessments/analysis are feedback to the facilities and program leads for continuous improvements at program and patient levels.

The Health Management Information Systems (HMIS) unit is responsible for all technical issues relating to patient level data management and monitoring activities in the ACTION program. The ACTION Program captures patient level data electronically using CAREWare, a software developed for the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The HMIS unit is responsible for all the technical issues surrounding CAREWare installation, maintenance and upgrades at supported facilities.

Currently, CAREWare implementation and pilots include: 

• The CAREWare-Labs Interface: This facilitates the direct download of lab data from the laboratory instrument to the CAREWare server in HL7 format, thereby eliminating errors associated with manual transcription of laboratory results and manual data entry. Lab interface developed for the following instruments: Cyflow SL3, Sysmex KX21N, Vitros 250/350.

• Clinical Encounter Report: Report provides the clinician with a snapshot of each patients clinical encounters at each visit

• Barcode-in-Action: working with the Laboratory unit of the Institute to barcode laboratory samples of patients so that patient details can be read off in the lab using a barcode scanner (currently in the pilot phase)

•  Setting up a real-time clinic at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital