Four large public hospitals have already been chosen for the single patient record pilot. Staff at the Hugo Mendoza, Ney Arias Lora, Mario Tolentino Dipp, and Reynaldo Almánzar public hospitals will develop a three-month pilot program for a unified patient record system. These are hospitals with high patient volume and advanced technological platforms.
The goal is to improve communication between hospitals and provide patients with better access to their medical history. At present, most patients have to see their doctors carrying large volumes of medical studies.
The initiative is part of the National Digital Health Strategy 2024-2028, which seeks to connect the country’s 200 public hospitals, 1,368 primary care centers, and over 300 private hospitals.
The unified record will include over 30 health data points, adhering to international standards. The Ministry plans to add more indicators in the future.
“We want patients to be the owners of their data,” said Miguel Rodríguez Viñas, Vice Minister of Strengthening and Development of the Health Sector. “This means that patients can access their information and ensure that their medical history is complete and up-to-date.”
The Ministry has emphasized data security, working with the Government Office of Information and Communication Technologies (Ogtic) to ensure that patient information remains confidential.
In addition to the unified patient record, the Ministry is also developing a telemedicine pilot program, which is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2025. This initiative will allow for remote consultations and the sharing of medical images.
The National Digital Health Strategy is supported by the World Bank, which is providing US$28 million in funding over five years to support the implementation of 35 initiatives.
The pilot program is designed to identify challenges and opportunities in the implementation of a unified patient record system. By improving data sharing and communication between healthcare providers, the Ministry hopes to enhance the quality of care for patients throughout the Dominican Republic.
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Diario Libre
World Bank
22 August 2024