On 19/8, Professor Le Van Quang, Director of K Hospital, stated that this transition meets the demands of modern healthcare. All information regarding patients' health status, medical history, and treatment progress is stored and managed online.
The hospital began piloting electronic medical records on 1/4 at its first facility and in June at its second facility. Now, electronic medical records are implemented hospital-wide.
"Electronic medical records replace paper records, enabling medical staff to easily access information, make more accurate diagnoses, and reduce their workload. The hospital also saves costs, improving productivity and the quality of care," Professor Quang said, adding that the system promotes transparency in health insurance management and reduces complicated administrative procedures.
K Hospital currently has 2,400 beds and over 1,900 medical staff. In 2024, the hospital received over 436,000 outpatient visits, 68,000 inpatients, performed 31,600 surgeries, and conducted 262,600 MRI and CT scans. Printing films and storing paperwork cost tens of billions of Vietnamese dong annually, and medical staff faced pressure from both treating patients and handling paperwork. The digital transformation and the new system reduce costs by eliminating the need for printing records, documents, and films.
Electronic medical records also allow data sharing between medical facilities, so patients don't have to repeat existing tests. Moreover, instead of long waits at the hospital, patients can schedule appointments online via phone or mobile app.
All patient records are stored synchronously, allowing doctors to access and track medical history. Doctor Le Hong Quang, Head of the Breast Surgery Department, shared that previously, doctors had to review entire paper files for consultations. Now, they only need a tablet.
"With cancer patients often requiring long-term treatment, digitizing records significantly saves time and costs," Doctor Quang said. During case consultations, the team can scroll through the screen while discussing, as all information, from medical history to test results, is readily available, streamlining the treatment process.
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Patient data is uploaded to the system, making it easier for doctors to access and track medical history, leading to more accurate diagnoses. Photo: Manh Tran |
Patient data is uploaded to the system, making it easier for doctors to access and track medical history, leading to more accurate diagnoses. Photo: Manh Tran
Professor Quang noted that to successfully implement electronic medical records, K Hospital faced numerous challenges regarding infrastructure, equipment, and patient habits. The hospital upgraded its entire information system and storage system, synchronizing all departments.
Around 1,800 hospitals nationwide are required to complete the transition from paper to electronic medical records by 30/9, as mandated by the Ministry of Health. However, currently, only nearly 300 facilities have done so. This figure is modest compared to the set target. Experts suggest three main reasons for the delay: difficulties with funding, IT infrastructure, and human resources.
Le Nga
