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One-patient, one-file system no longer just a dream

The MEC for Health says the system’s deployment at Mamelodi hospitals is a critical milestone.

The introduction of the new health information system (HIS), which enables the implementation of a one-patient, one-file system with the Gauteng public health system, is a game changer.

MEC for Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said the implementation of the system will ensure patients get a better and faster service.

Three of the four modules of the HIS, which encompass patient administration, billing, finance, and revenue have been seamlessly implemented at all 37 hospitals and 33 community health centres (CHCs).

The clinical module was first implemented at Mamelodi hospital making it the first facility to go live.

The benefits include easy access to and safekeeping of clinical records, the capture of patients’ allergies and other risk factors, the capture of patient progress, booking surgery intra-operation and other vitals.

Nkomo-Ralehoko said the deployment of the system in Mamelodi is a critical milestone to signal the commencement of the rollout of the clinical module to all other facilities, starting with central hospitals.

She said the first three modules have improved patient administration, file management and the processing of referrals from CHCs to hospitals.

“It has also helped us improve in terms of billing and revenue management. Now that the clinical module has been successfully implemented and is ready for rollout to all our facilities, starting with academic hospitals. We will be able to fully digitise our patients’ clinical processes, which will result in the accuracy of patient data,” said Nkomo-Ralehoko.

Once a patient is registered on the system, a patient master index (PMI) number is generated and then used as their unique identifier.

“The PMI number plays a pivotal role in enabling one-patient, one-file tracking; a digital file is created in the cloud, which warrants the tracking of the patient’s history and movement at all the HIS-live hospitals and CHCs,” she said.

The system is user-friendly and not difficult to navigate and understand.

“It will assist managers with retrieving accurate reports and hospitals to record and monitor incoming revenue,” she added.

Hospitals are also able to allocate and monitor bed occupancy using this system.

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