Abstract:
Medical records management activities do not differ from managing other types of records but what
differs is the content and value of the records. Policies and procedures may differ from one medical
center to another but they aim at the same thing which is proper management of records and bring
emciency and effectiveness to the work. This research was concerned with management of medical
records in public hospitals. The case study was carried at KCMC — Moshi. The problem of the study
was to Investigate the how medical records were created, used, stored appraised and the challenges
faced by the records staffwhen they were managing those records. The techniques used to get the
sample from the population was the purposive sampling which enabled the researcher to get the staff
who were able to answer the questionnaires and interview questions from the small number of medical
records staff. Data was collected by the use of questionnaires, interview questions and documentation.
The study found that there was no policy and procedures meant for medical records department for
managing the records. The policy could lead to the preparing of management programmes such as
retention scheduling, appraisal, disposition and disaster plan which would be used to prevent records
from natural disaster such as storms, floods, earthquake and fire. The disaster plan would also state
how records would be rescued from these hazards. The study found that there was no enough space for
active records so the records were congested. The conclusion and recommendations were to advice the
KCMC top management to support the registry by building or providing a building which would be
capable for handling the records. The staffs need to be trained in records management courses at the
degree, diploma and certificate levels to enable them to manage the records according to the standards.
