zoom to the FUTURE
The healthcare sector worldwide, including Singapore, is undergoing a transformation to redesign its healthcare delivery systems for better patient care with infocomm technology as a key enabler.
The next three paragraphs are future health informatic systems that are yet to be implemented but will be piloted in the near future.
Mentioned earlier, EMRs are used only to store information that are health-related and can be accessed by licensed healthcare workers. In SingHealth, the next-generation of EMR will include enhanced functionalities for electronic ordering of laboratory and radiology tests, process workflows and Inpatient Medication Administration, all designed to enhance patient safety and quality outcomes.
NHG, on the other hand, will be focusing on the Computerised Clinician Order Entry (CCOE) system, which is designed to bring about quality, consistent and safer care for its patients across its group of 4 hospitals, specialist centres and polyclinics. The system allows clinicians to e-order medication, X-ray and laboratory tests for patients. It checks for appropriateness of such tests orders, and suggests other relevant orders if necessary. Doctors are also alerted to repetitive X-ray and/or laboratory tests orders. The e-prescription module checks and alerts doctors to drug allergies, drug-to-drug interactions, and dosage caution for certain medical conditions.
Parkway groups is looking at using RFID to identify patients and equipment. RFID is used to describe a system that transmits the identity (in the form of a unique serial number) of an object or person wirelessly, using radio waves. RFID data can be read through the human body, clothing and non-metallic materials.
Biometrics are used to identify staff. It is a techniquethat is used to identify an individual based on physiological or behavioural characteristics. For example, facial features, facial expression, fingerprint, handwriting, iris, retina, hand vein pattern and even gait.
Parkway’s 3 hospitals will be starting the implementation of a group-wide inpatient EMR system, both on-line and also on an RFID card. Wireless electronic prescriptions, order entry and result reporting will be done next. Clinical and Nursing quality care systems are also currently being piloted. For patients’ entertainment, Dr Kenneth Thean, Parkway’s General Manager, is looking into providing interactive movies on-demand and games for patients who have to spend time recuperating in the hospital.
