The 'race' to digitize the medical industry in the West

DNVN - The atmosphere of digital transformation in the healthcare sector in the Western provinces is becoming more vibrant, a series of medical examination and treatment facilities have announced the implementation of electronic medical records, gradually replacing traditional paper medical records. This is a major turning point in the effort to build a modern, transparent healthcare system, improving the quality of service to the people.

Vinh Long and Dong Thap simultaneously "digitalize"

The simultaneous deployment of electronic medical records in the provinces and cities of the Western region shows that localities in the region are racing against time to complete the target of 100% of hospitals applying electronic medical records by September 2025 as directed by the Ministry of Health and the Government.

Nguyen Dinh Chieu Hospital ( Vinh Long province) held a ceremony to announce the implementation of electronic medical records .

Kicking off the wave of electronic medical record deployment in the region, on September 19, Nguyen Dinh Chieu Hospital (An Hoi Ward, Vinh Long Province) - a first-class hospital, the province's leading hospital, held a ceremony to announce the deployment of electronic medical records after completing the assessment. This is the first unit in the province to apply this system, marking a strong transformation of Vinh Long's health sector in the digital transformation process.

Director of Vinh Long Province Department of Health Ho Thi Thu Hang emphasized that electronic medical records will help manage, store and look up patient information more quickly and accurately; reduce administrative procedures and create a foundation for connecting medical data nationwide. She requested the Board of Directors of Nguyen Dinh Chieu Hospital to continue training and coaching medical staff, improve digital skills, and change habits from paper medical records to electronic ones. In particular, connecting and synchronizing data with the health insurance system, the pharmaceutical and testing management system needs to be seriously implemented, ensuring that 80% of people have electronic health records by 2025.

Along with Vinh Long, Dong Thap is also making strong progress. On the same day, the Dong Thap Department of Health held a ceremony to announce the implementation of electronic medical records at medical facilities across the province. The goal set by the Dong Thap health sector is that by September 30, all hospitals in the area will complete the conversion and no longer use paper medical records.

Up to now, Dong Thap has had 8 medical facilities successfully operating the electronic medical record system, including Dong Thap General Hospital, Thap Muoi Regional General Hospital, Hong Ngu Regional Medical Center and several other facilities.

A representative of the provincial health sector emphasized that this is a strategic step to bring Dong Thap closer to the smart hospital model, taking people's satisfaction as a measure of quality.

Electronic medical records help doctors easily track medical examination and treatment history, quickly detect health problems of patients, and then develop appropriate treatment regimens. Patients also benefit from not having to carry paper medical records with them every time they return for a check-up, saving waiting time and reducing the risk of losing records.

An Giang and Tay Ninh finish

While Vinh Long and Dong Thap are taking the first steps, An Giang has reached the finish line early in implementing electronic medical records. Director of the Department of Health Tran Quang Hien said that the whole province has 46/46 medical examination and treatment facilities that have been assessed and operated the electronic medical records system, reaching a rate of 100%, 15 days earlier than the deadline required by the Prime Minister.

The electronic medical record system in An Giang not only helps manage medical records quickly, minimizing errors in recording, but also facilitates consultation, scientific research and emergency care. Patients are supported to look up medical examination and treatment information through chip-embedded citizen identification cards and electronic health books, contributing to shortening waiting time and transparency in the treatment process.

Electronic medical record appraisal at An Giang General Hospital (An Giang Electronic Medical Records Portal).

In Tay Ninh, the implementation of electronic medical records is being accelerated to be completed before the deadline of the end of September 2025. According to the report of the Director of the Department of Health Do Hong Son, currently 4 general hospitals including Long An General Hospital, Can Giuoc Regional General Hospital, Kien Tuong and Hau Nghia have operated the electronic medical records system. Of which, Can Giuoc Regional General Hospital has officially operated the entire system including EMR (electronic medical records), LIS (testing), PACS (medical image storage) and RIS (diagnostic imaging information system).

In addition, 13 other medical facilities in Tay Ninh are in the process of completion, expected to be put into operation at the end of September. Some units are piloting the systems of Viettel, VNPT or upgrading their existing hospital management software to integrate electronic medical records. Despite difficulties in funding and investment procedures after the province's merger, the Tay Ninh health sector is making efforts to coordinate with solution providers to ensure progress.

When the system is completed, Tay Ninh people will be better served at any health facility in the province thanks to the interconnected medical records. This will not only help reduce the cost of repeated testing, but also support doctors in more accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Towards smart healthcare

The synchronous implementation of electronic medical records in the Western provinces shows a strong determination in applying information technology to health management. This is an important preparatory step for the regional health sector to move towards a smart hospital model, improving the quality of health care for people, reducing administrative procedures and increasing transparency in health services.

With the drastic participation of the provincial health sector, along with the technological support from telecommunications and information technology enterprises, it is expected that in the coming time, people in the provinces and cities of the West will enjoy a modern and effective health system, where all health information is strictly managed, confidential and ready to serve the needs of medical examination and treatment anytime, anywhere.

Bui Lam - Viet Hieu

Source: https://doanhnghiepvn.vn/chuyen-doi-so/-cuoc-dua-so-hoa-nganh-yo-mien-tay/20250920093648570