Design of a records retention and disposition schedule for Makerere University Hospital

Abstract

This research study was carried out at Makerere University Hospital (MUH) to find out the absence of a well-established Records Retention and Disposition Schedule at Makerere University Hospital to serve as a key to the retention and disposition of the organization records this has led to the increased growth in volume of records in the organization records Centre. The objectives of the study were to find out the types of records created and received at Makerere University Hospital, to establish the different practices used to control records volume in offices without a retention and disposition schedule at Makerere University Hospital, to asses challenges that are associated with the absence of a records retention and disposition schedule in the organization and the last one was to design a comprehensive records retention and disposition schedule for Makerere University Hospital. Both qualitative and quantitative approach of data analysis was used to analyze data to extract meaningful information which enabled the researcher to make sense out of it. Interview guide and observation methods were used in the collection of data. The study found out that MUH did not have a well-established RRDS and this was making accumulation of archival records in the records Centre hence limiting storage space. The study therefore led to the proposal of a Records Retention and Disposal Schedule (RRDS) for MUH as this will help in creating storage space and also avoiding distraction of active records of the organization.