As part of its efforts to revolutionise patient care and healthcare operations, the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) yesterday unveiled its Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system in the medical clinic at the hospital.
According to Advisor to the Minister of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, the implementation of this technology will run for a period of three years, during which enhanced efficiency, increased accuracy, and improved patient experiences will be prioritised.
“We are putting in place for the pharmacy and the laboratory to have interoperability capacity so that they can link into the electronic medical record that is being pioneered here, Ramsammy explained.
The CEO of GPHC, Robbie Rambarran, stated that the EMR system will replace traditional paper-based medical records, bringing all patient-related information into a unified digital platform accessible by authorised healthcare providers.
This seamless integration, he added, will empower medical staff with real-time access to critical patient data, including medical history, test results, medications, allergies, and treatment plans. Further, the comprehensive electronic records will enable healthcare professionals to make well-informed decisions promptly, thereby reducing medical errors and improving patient outcomes.
The implementation of the EMR system is expected to bring numerous benefits to both patients and medical staff. For patients, this modernisation means a smoother and more convenient healthcare experience. With their medical records digitally available, patients will no longer need to carry physical files or repeat medical histories at each visit. This not only saves time but also minimises the risk of miscommunication.
GPH’s adoption of the EMR system saw the first set of patients being added this month. Integrating the software which was imported from India was not an easy task, however, according to the CEO, they were able to push through with the support of PAHO and Technify Inc (Guyana).
The new system will include a patient’s medical history, diagnoses, medications, treatment plans, immunisation dates, allergies, radiology images, and laboratory and test results. By automating these processes, hospital staff can focus more on patient care, further elevating the overall healthcare experience and reduce incidences of non-compliance.
Furthermore, the EMR system will facilitate data-driven decision-making, as the hospital can now collect and analyze anonymized patient data on a larger scale. This data can contribute to medical research, health trends analysis, and even potential public health initiatives to benefit the broader community.
To address concerns related to data security and privacy, GPH has taken extensive measures to safeguard patient information.
The EMR system employs advanced encryption and access controls, ensuring that only authorised healthcare professionals have access to patients’ sensitive data. Stringent compliance with data protection regulations has been prioritised, giving patients peace of mind regarding the confidentiality of their medical records.
According to Ramsammy, the launch of the EMR system at GPH, is a stepping stone to the institution’s unwavering commitment to advancing healthcare standards. As the medical clinic embraces this digital transformation, patients can anticipate an even higher quality of care, reduced wait times, and a more seamless healthcare journey, it was stated. (Deneita Fredericks)
