Digital transformation in healthcare in Quang Ninh province with the smart hospital model brings practical benefits to citizens

Thanks to digital transformation and the implementation of online appointment booking, residents of Quang Ninh can now easily and proactively schedule medical examinations. FPT is honored to accompany Quang Ninh in building a smart hospital model for hospitals and healthcare facilities across the province.

On December 4, during a discussion with a delegation from the Ministry of Health, Specialist Doctor Level II. Nguyen Ba Viet, Director of Quang Ninh General Hospital, shared that the hospital has embraced digital transformation towards the smart hospital model by investing in a synchronized IT infrastructure system that has achieved a 6/7 rating based on the Ministry of Health’s infrastructure criteria.

According to Dr. Viet, just 1-2 years ago, it was common for patients to arrive at the hospital as early as 4 a.m. to wait for their turn. “I often received complaints from patients about the long wait times, which strengthened my resolve to implement online appointment booking,” he said.

At the beginning of 2024, the rate of online appointment bookings was only 15%, but this has now risen to 50%. Appointments can be scheduled via phone, Zalo, the hospital’s website, or an app. Appointment slots are distributed evenly throughout the day, minimizing localized overcrowding. Patients only need to arrive 10 minutes before their appointment and no longer have to purchase paper medical records unless requested. The entire examination and treatment process is streamlined with a single QR code, which can be used across all departments and rooms.

“Patients, including my own family members, no longer need to rely on personal connections or favors to secure appointments or imaging services. People can walk into the hospital empty-handed,” shared Director Nguyen Ba Viet.

Guiding Patients to Schedule Appointments via Self-Service Kiosks Using Citizen ID Cards

This facility is also among the pioneering hospitals in the country to adopt electronic medical records (EMR), medical record and hospital information management software, and comprehensive hospital management systems (HIS-LIS). Additionally, it utilizes a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), facilitating health insurance reimbursement processes and enhancing transparency in medical examinations and treatments.

Quang Ninh General Hospital no longer prints plastic films for imaging. Results from imaging and laboratory tests are provided to patients through QR codes, mobile apps, and their initial consultation rooms.

This digital transformation in healthcare, which eliminates paper medical records, paper prescriptions, and plastic film printing, has helped the hospital save billions of VND while reducing plastic and hazardous waste, contributing to a healthier hospital environment.

According to Specialist Doctor Level I Ngo Quang Chuc – Head of the Department of Radiology, the hospital used to print approximately 3,000 films per month, with annual film costs amounting to 1.5 billion dong. Moreover, processing the chemical wastewater from film development was complex and costly, as the films contained lead. Without proper control, this waste posed risks of toxicity and environmental pollution.

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With digital transformation, the most satisfying aspect for patients is being able to actively track the progress of their medical treatment without the anxiety of waiting, unsure of when their turn will come or when they will receive results. The total time spent at the hospital, from arrival to departure, has been reduced by more than two hours. Doctors now find it easier to diagnose and treat patients; when visiting examination rooms, they can look up patient information on their phones through software, rather than flipping through paper medical records.

Digital transformation, which has eliminated paper medical records and plastic films, also helps the hospital maintain a clean environment, free from dust, and saves significant storage space for records that could span decades. Additionally, managing and disposing of films is a complicated process, requiring a specialized disposal unit that meets proper standards.

Quang Ninh is currently one of the leaders in digital healthcare transformation, with solutions that help hospitals remain clean and safe, reducing the risk of infections. To maintain a clean healthcare environment, Vietnam-Sweden Hospital has adopted a method of recycling infectious plastic waste through steam sterilization, a solution highly praised by the leadership of the Health Environment Management Agency (Ministry of Health).

In 2023, this hospital generated over 45 tons of infectious waste. The profit from using steam sterilization to process hazardous infectious medical waste into regular waste, along with recycling the waste, is estimated to be nearly half a billion dong

Furthermore, the method of recycling medical plastic waste through steam sterilization helps reduce plastic waste, thereby lowering the risk of environmental pollution. It completely replaces incineration and chemical treatment methods, without producing smoke or dust. After sterilization, the plastic waste is transformed into regular plastic, which can be recycled into other products.

Recognizing the benefits of digital healthcare transformation, including environmental protection, the Ministry of Health has urged healthcare units to accelerate digital transformation and adopt electronic medical records. Currently, over 100 hospitals nationwide (both public and private) have announced their use of electronic medical records.

In addition to Quang Ninh General Hospital and Vietnam-Sweden Hospital, FPT provides solutions for many hospitals and healthcare facilities in the province, including units like Cam Pha General Hospital and Quang Yen Township Medical Center, which have successfully implemented and validated electronic medical records.