The Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) here, which caters to thousands of patients in southern districts, is virtually going hi-tech as patients’ particulars will be available online from November under a massive computerisation project.
Throwing away the old ‘chit’ system, in which patient information is available on a piece of paper, the GRH will have computerised network for registering all details of a patient pertaining to diagnosis, treatment and medicines.
The advanced patient data project is being implemented by the Tamil Nadu Health Systems Project (TNHSP) under the name, ‘Health Management Information System.’
S. Natarajan, District Coordinator, TNHSP, told The Hindu on Tuesday that 160 computers would be provided to the GRH for data entry in all departments. “By the end of October, we will complete installation and the new system should get going from the first week of November. It will be an easy process for the staff since the hospital is going towards paperless registration by switching over to computers,” he added.
B. Santhakumar, Dean, said, “When patient details are computerised and if prescription and medical reports are uploaded online, it will be comfortable for doctors too. The new registration system will begin next month.”
According to Dr. Natarajan, there is another advantage for patients with the health management information system. “Computerised data system is being introduced for hospitals in Thoppur and Balarangapuram as well. These hospitals are being supplied with about 25 computers. Soon, the GRH will be on a par with private hospitals when it comes to medical records,” he said.
The system will enable a patient to visit any GH in the State and access his medical records. If a GRH patient goes to Chennai Government Hospital, doctors could get the medical history with the help of a patient identification number.
