Medicina comunitaria y educación para la salud

Abstracto

The Electronic Hospital Information System Implemented at the District General Hospital Trincomalee-An Experience of Business Process Reengineering

Ayanthi Saranga Jayawardena

The Epidemiology Unit in Sri Lanka with the collaboration of WHO initiated computer based electronic information system in November 2005 at Base Hospital Ampara and Base Hospital Hambanthota. Then the system was expanded to six other selected hospitals in six districts. None of the systems have been evaluated completely so far. The computerized HIS is successfully functioning at the DGH Trincomalee. Long term objective of the project was to build and maintain a patient database for analysis of data and to facilitate evidence-based decision making process Short term objectives were, to have properly maintained hospital health statistics, to have a paperless hospital information system and to reduce costs and improve the accuracy and timeliness of hospital information system. The patient information system was exceptionally user-friendly and thus was readily accepted by the medical staff at the hospital. This system was password protected. User names and password enable graded access to the system thus confidentiality is maintained. Doctors were able to order investigations, radiological images and prescriptions to the patients online. Radiological images were available online which reduce cost of X-ray films. Patients can get their radiological images copied to a CD thus missing of reports or duplicating of reports will not be a problem here after. They also can do online booking in advance for a date for surgery from the theatre. Hospital records are maintained by the out-patient module. This system was readily accepted by the patients too. It is important to maintain this system with future amendments as required in order to meet future demands and challenges.