Strategies for Standardizing Health Information Analysis

Abstract

Purpose: This paper analyses an initiative led by WHO within the health information domain to standardise analysis of health information through the use of analytical dashboards, using the concept of flexible standards. We focus on the implementation of these standards within existing, working information systems, analysing the implementation strategies used, and how these are enabled by the flexibility of the standards. Design/methodology/approach: The study follows an action research approach, where the authors have been involved in the development and implementation of the initiative being discussed. Findings: By analyzing the approaches taken by several countries to implement these standards we show how these different approaches are enabled by the flexibility of the standards. Practical implications: This paper demonstrates the potential importance of flexibility in standardisation initiatives around health information, with particular relevance to voluntary standardisation efforts involving independent actors, in this case Ministries of Health. Originality/value: The flexible standards concept is employed to study a multi-country initiative involving WHO and several national governments. We contribute to the literature on flexible standards by showing that beyond flexibility in the standards, flexibility in the software platform in which the standards are implemented, and the variation allowed in the standardisation process at an organisational level, are important factors that facilitate standards implementations.