Beyond the many other challenges to healthcare delivery, the lack of data management systems in many developing countries makes it difficult to track patients’ medical histories, the number of health care services provided, or drug availability and usage. Health care managers simply do not have the resources they need to consistently monitor the services and supplies that their employees provide and distribute.

D-Tree International’s approach will address these challenges by using confidential electronic medical records (EMRs) to provide a continuum of care for patients over time and across providers. Patient information will be stored on the PDA, copied to a removable smart card, and backed up on a central computer system. This will allow health care providers to track individual medical histories, including immunizations and chronic diseases, and will prompt the worker with opportunities for preventative care.

This same record will also be an invaluable source of data, as the aggregated patient records will provide managers with information about provider workload, inventory management at point of service, as well as an outlet for communication with employees.