Medical orders, test results, and diagnostic images are synchronized instantly, replacing bulky paper files. When a 46-year-old traffic accident victim was brought to the Neurosurgery Department, the attending physician accessed his complete medical history with just a few taps on a tablet.
Upon discharge, patients can access their complete medical records via a mobile app. For follow-up appointments, the system automatically identifies patients using a unique ID, allowing doctors immediate access to their treatment history. Even payment is streamlined, with patients using QR codes for online transactions.
"Compared to my treatment a few years ago, everything has improved significantly, even though the hospital is always crowded," a patient shared on 19/9.
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QR code for online payment at Cho Ray Hospital. Photo: Le Phuong |
QR code for online payment at Cho Ray Hospital. Photo: Le Phuong
Since 5/9, these experiences have become commonplace at Cho Ray. According to Doctor Le Phuoc Dai, Deputy Head of Planning and General Affairs, while concrete data is still being collected, the workflow is visibly smoother, paperwork for medical staff is significantly reduced, and patient wait times are shorter.
Cho Ray is one of Vietnam's largest tertiary hospitals, handling 7,000-8,500 outpatient visits and 2,500-3,000 inpatients daily, with complex medical cases. Implementing a comprehensive electronic health record system in such a large facility was challenging. Doctor Pham Thanh Viet, Deputy Executive Director, explained that while the hospital has been using information technology since 1998, maximizing resources was crucial for the successful launch of the new system, achieving the government's goal ahead of schedule.
Vietnam has over 1,800 hospitals, with around 200 having transitioned to electronic health records by early September. The Ministry of Health mandates all hospitals to eliminate paper records by 30/9, with remaining facilities to complete the transition by the end of 2026.
"The hospital sent a delegation to Japan to study their model, but it wasn't directly applicable due to differences in systems and conditions," Doctor Viet shared. This highlights Cho Ray's commitment to building its own medical ecosystem, integrating digital signatures, biometrics, and VNeID for security and legal compliance.
A 2022 study in Health Affairs found that electronic health records can reduce doctors' administrative time by up to 35% and increase patient care efficiency by 15-20%.
Electronic health records allow for single data entry and instant access, saving time and reducing errors in medical orders. Automated alerts for drug interactions, abnormal indicators, or health insurance benefits enhance treatment safety and accuracy. This significantly reduces administrative burdens, allowing doctors and nurses more time for patient care.
Beyond treatment, the data can be extracted and analyzed, creating a foundation for future research and AI applications. "Patients benefit significantly, with every process faster and more accurate, especially saving crucial time during emergencies," Doctor Dai emphasized.
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Cho Ray Hospital doctors access and input patient information directly at the bedside using iPads. Photo: Nguyen Hanh |
Cho Ray Hospital doctors access and input patient information directly at the bedside using iPads. Photo: Nguyen Hanh
Tran Thi Diem, Head Nurse of the Outpatient Department, also noted that doctors' orders are now instantly transferred to tablets, replacing handwritten orders. This minimizes errors in medication dispensing and patient care, significantly saving time.
"We no longer have to carry files around for doctors' signatures, as everything is done with digital signatures," Diem said.
Alongside digitization, the hospital still prints essential documents like prescriptions and test results for patient convenience. For the elderly or those unfamiliar with technology, medical staff and family members provide assistance, while tech-savvy individuals can manage most procedures through the app. The hospital is also expanding its app, adding features like online appointment booking, in addition to traditional methods like phone calls.
Le Phuong
