No more lost patient files, as city clinics gear for new R32m electronic system
The new system will also improve healthcare response times and bookings.
A new electronic health system will deal with problems such as inadequate filing storage and lost patient files at all Tshwane-owned health facilities.
The new system, which will be introduced in the first quarter of the 2022/2023 financial year, will also improve healthcare response times and bookings.
It will also offer geographic health risk profiling representations, according to Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo.
Called the electronic Health Management System (eHMS), this R32.7-million system would allow for easier access to medical records than the hard copies currently being used.
The eHMS will eliminate duplicate files at facilities and promote transparency and efficiency in patient management in addition to improved referral systems.
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The system will also allow for better management of stock items in Tshwane pharmacies.
Mashigo said the eHMS was part of a process by the national health department to improve service delivery through the implementation of a fully integrated and interoperable system.
The Tshwane metro started the project in May 2021.
“Other benefits include integrated and accurate data management and reporting. This will improve service delivery, planning and decision-making.”
It would, ultimately, save costs compared to having multiple systems.
Streamlined operations and enhanced internal communication across multiple departments will provide an improved experience for users and our clients.”
Tshwane mayor Randal Williams mentioned the new system during his State of the Capital Address last month.
“This will make it easy for our healthcare officials to offer improved services to our patients,” he said.
The system would be complemented by 24 City-managed clinics, which achieved ideal clinic status in various categories of the Ideal Clinic rating system.
This programme is an initiative by the national Department of Health to improve clinics in the public sector.
Such a clinic will boast good infrastructure, adequate staff, adequate medicine, good administrative processes, policies, protocols, guidelines as well as partner and stakeholder support.
Nellmapius, Olievenhout extension 13 and Laudium clinics were rated gold while Karenpark clinic was rated silver status.
FF Ribeiro, Silverton, Doornpoort and Hercules clinics, among others, scored platinum status.
Local clinics have also decreased their clinic waiting times to an average of 125 minutes against the national norm of 180 minutes, according to Williams.
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