Strengthening digital transformation and building a smart healthcare sector.
Through the acceleration of digital transformation, Nghe An's health sector is gradually forming a smart healthcare system, contributing to improving the quality of disease prevention and medical examination and treatment for the people.
Actively pursue digital transformation.
Over the past period, the industryMedicalNghe An province has actively implemented numerous information technology applications in preventive healthcare, medical examination and treatment, and state management of healthcare. Specifically, the VNPT-ioffice document management and operational system has been deployed from the Department of Health to all units within the sector, and is connected to 460 commune health stations. An online meeting system has been established from the Department of Health to district-level units.
Through smart applications, healthcare facilities have provided patients with comprehensive information about examination and treatment procedures and locations; administrative procedures and policies related to medical examination and treatment; simplified procedures and processes; publicly and transparently posted information for people to know and monitor; and established customer service departments to provide advice and guidance via telephone and website. People can register for medical examinations and treatments online; and receive remote medical consultations and treatments to reduce congestion and waiting times.
Currently, 100% of the stationsmedicalIn the province, a software system for managing medical examinations and treatments at health stations has been implemented, using the shared VNPT HMIS (Health Management Information System) software. The health sector has effectively implemented the electronic health record software, with 3,474,783 records created on the system, of which 3,124,908 records already contain medical examination and treatment data. The food safety and hygiene management software system has been established and deployed to all communes, wards, and towns. Currently, data has been entered into 14,180 food production and business establishments under the management of the health sector.
The entire province has also implemented electronic medical records in 11 units. 100% of medical examination and treatment facilities at the provincial, district, and commune levels have implemented software for managing medical examinations, treatments, and health insurance payments. All facilities are able to extract output data according to regulations. 95.53% of medical examination and treatment facilities have implemented electronic prescription of medicines. 100% of medical examination and treatment facilities use electronic chip-embedded citizen identity cards to replace health insurance cards; inpatient registration is done through the VneID application, and 100% of units have implemented hospital fee payment through banks.
According to the summary of the 8 criteria in Circular 54/2017/TT-BYT, the entire province has 7 out of 49 units achieving level 6 (smart hospital level), and 5 out of 49 units achieving levels 4-5 (application of information technology in some fields). However, due to some specific criteria not being adequately invested in, such as non-functional and security criteria, they have not yet met the higher standards.
Developing smart healthcare
Through the acceleration of digital transformation, Nghe An's health sector is gradually forming a smart healthcare system. This allows state management agencies and healthcare units to access accurate and timely data; proactively predict and effectively prevent epidemics; coordinate out-of-hospital emergency services and address hospital overcrowding; inspect and supervise private medical practices; improve medical examination and treatment; save time and costs, and reduce risks and complications during treatment; reduce administrative workload, allowing healthcare staff more time for professional development; and build an image of a civilized, modern hospital dedicated to patient care.
From the perspective of the people, thanks to the smart healthcare system, they can easily access medical information; reduce administrative procedures, ensuring fairness in accessing medical services; avoid unnecessary medical risks such as misdiagnosis or treatment information; use advanced, high-quality medical services more conveniently; and benefit from transparency in payment for medical services.
The benefits of developing a smart healthcare system are immense. Therefore, in the coming time, the Nghe An Health Department will continue to promote the application and development of digital and smart technologies in healthcare, contributing to building a modern, high-quality, equitable, transparent, and efficient healthcare system. This will help people easily access health information to use highly effective healthcare services and receive lifelong health protection, care, and improvement.
Dr. Le Thi Hoai Chung, Director of the Nghe An Department of Health, stated: In the coming period, the provincial health sector is determined to resolutely implement three major objectives. Firstly, to develop the healthcare system in Vinh City into a central hub for specialized medical care in the North Central region, in accordance with Resolution No. 39-NQ/TW dated July 18, 2023, of the Politburo. Secondly, to improve the current shortage of medicines and medical supplies through research and selection of optimal procurement bidding methods.
The healthcare sector is determined to build a smart healthcare system with three pillars: smart governance, smart disease prevention, and smart medical examination and treatment. Building smart healthcare will help address existing problems in healthcare facilities in Nghe An province in particular, and the whole country in general, namely the chaotic and insecure conditions at these facilities. For example, increasing the number of cameras in hospitals and wards will limit visits from patients' family members, which can affect infection control, examination, treatment, and patient recovery. Family members can clearly see images, vital signs, and the severity of the patient's illness on screens in waiting rooms and through apps. This means doctors have more time to care for critically ill and vulnerable patients.
Dr. Le Thi Hoai Chung, Specialist Doctor II - Director of the Nghe An Department of Health
With smart healthcare, medical facilities can enhance consultations with experts; connect with higher-level hospitals; and support people right from the hospital entrance, reducing unnecessary waiting times. Through electronic health records, management agencies can detect and prevent diseases effectively in the community early. Treatment facilities can provide convenient and efficient care and treatment thanks to the integration of previous medical examination and treatment data into the electronic records.
