Improving service quality
Hue Ophthalmology Hospital is a pioneer in implementing a comprehensive digital transformation in medical examinations and treatment. Since December 2023, the Hospital has rolled out new management software, digitizing all patient records, and replacing handwritten files with electronic ones. This reduces errors, shortens processing time, and allows for more efficient storage.
A key highlight is the smart medical kiosk system, which gives priority appointment numbers to the elderly and pregnant women, significantly reducing their waiting times. Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Dung (76 years old, from My Thuong ward) shared: “Since they got the smart medical kiosk, I no longer have to come early to queue for a number. Being prioritized for an appointment number has saved me a lot of time and effort.”
According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Nhu Y, a specialized pharmacist level I, Head of the Planning, Professional, and Nursing Department at Hue Ophthalmology Hospital, the digital transformation process is divided into two phases: digitizing all patient records, implementing a test information management software, and integrating digital signatures, fingerprint authentication, and medical image storage. Especially, the Hospital has also enhanced patient reception using chip-embedded citizen ID cards and VNeID app, as well as enabling cashless payments via QR codes, creating a transparent and objective operational system. Thanks to these improvements, the Hospital serves about 250 - 300 outpatient visits, and treats about 80 inpatients daily, with electronic patient records reaching a rate of 95%. This not only reduces administrative pressure on medical staff, but also helps doctors create more accurate and effective treatment plans.
Using artificial intelligence to enhance diagnosis
Beyond information management, healthcare facilities in Hue City are also boldly investing in modern equipment, and applying artificial intelligence (AI) in diagnosis and treatment. Hue Central Hospital, the first facility in the Central region to deploy a new generation 128-slice CT scanner, is equipped with advanced AI technology from GE Healthcare (the USA).
The device can automatically position patients using an AI camera, reducing radiation dose, increasing diagnostic accuracy, and detecting minor lesions with a spatial resolution of just 0.28mm. In addition, the technology also assists in analyzing and diagnosing many dangerous diseases like liver tumors, lung cancer, and strokes, etc., thereby improving treatment quality and shortening examination times.
Prof. Dr. Pham Nhu Hiep, Director of Hue Central Hospital, emphasized: “The application of modern AI equipment not only improves service quality, but also affirms the determination to staying ahead of modern healthcare trends. This is an important step towards building a smart healthcare ecosystem in Hue.”
Synchronizing infrastructure, elevating brand name
The smart hospital model is spreading to many other facilities, such as Binh Dien General Hospital, Phu Vang Medical Center, and Huong Thuy Medical Center, etc., with the synchronous application of software like HIS, LIS, and PACS, which are interconnected with health insurance data to make procedures transparent, and shorten processing times.
Many modern techniques like telemedicine, online health consultations, and electroacupuncture for children with autism spectrum disorder, etc., are also flexibly applied at these facilities. The medical examination and treatment system, from commune level to province level, is standardized with inter-level data sharing, making it easy for doctors to make timely decisions.
One of the most positive indicators recorded from the smart hospital model in Hue is that the proportion of people participating in health insurance has reached 99.34%, showing increasing public trust in healthcare system. The patient satisfaction index has also continuously improved thanks to the reduction of procedures, the improvement of service quality, as well as the modern and civilized medical examination and treatment environment.
According to a report from Hue City Department of Health, most public healthcare facilities in the area have switched to electronic patient records, and are actively deploying Big Data platforms, aiming to integrate AI to assist in diagnosis, treatment, and management. Training a digital healthcare workforce is also being accelerated, particularly through online learning programs and inter-hospital connections.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Kiem Hao, Director of Hue City Department of Health, stated: “In the coming time, the city’s healthcare sector will continue to focus on building a smart digital healthcare ecosystem that comprehensively connects people, medical facilities, and management agencies. The goal is not just to digitize processes, but to move towards a people-centric healthcare system.”
The smart hospital model in Hue City is proving to be a strategic move that not only improves operational efficiency and reduces costs, but also brings high-quality medical services closer to people, including those in remote areas.