Connecting test results: Building a modern, equitable and sustainable health system

On September 29, in Ho Chi Minh City, the Ministry of Health held a conference to review the Project "Strengthening the capacity of the medical laboratory quality management system for the period 2016 - 2025 and implementing the connection of test results". The conference evaluated the results achieved and at the same time oriented the goal of building a modern, equitable and effective health system.

Reduce duplication and costs for patients

At the conference, Dr. Ha Anh Duc, Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management ( Ministry of Health ), emphasized that medical testing plays a key role in the entire health care cycle - from prevention, diagnosis, treatment monitoring to disease prognosis. However, in reality, duplication of testing when transferring or re-examining is still common, increasing costs and treatment time for patients.

“Every year, if we reuse only 1%-2% of the number of paraclinical tests, the whole country can save 300-600 billion VND. This shows the great potential of standardizing and connecting test results across the system,” Dr. Ha Anh Duc affirmed.

Dr. Ha Anh Duc, Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management (Ministry of Health ) spoke at the conference.

However, currently only about 500/3,000 laboratories nationwide meet quality standards. The reason is due to the lack of uniformity in management, the difference in equipment and human resources between levels, as well as the incomplete application of information technology. Many medical facilities still do not really trust the accuracy of test results from other places, leading to the requirement for patients to repeat the test when transferring to another level.

Staff packing test tubes

Orientation for synchronous and effective implementation

During the period 2016 - 2025, the Ministry of Health has implemented a series of solutions to enhance the capacity of the laboratory quality management system. Specifically: training and coaching for testing staff and personnel; building a list of nearly 3,000 common testing technical codes, establishing quality control centers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City...

Currently, some end-line hospitals such as Tu Du Hospital, Gia Dinh People's Hospital, Children's Hospital 1, Thai Nguyen Central Hospital... have implemented the connection of test results with a reuse rate of 80%-100%.

Delegates attending the conference

To promote widespread testing connectivity, the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management (Ministry of Health) has advised the issuance of nearly 100,000 common codes for specialized terminology and techniques - including 2,964 testing technique codes, serving the implementation of electronic medical records and medical data connectivity.

According to Dr. Ha Anh Duc, connecting test results brings many benefits: helping patients save costs, reduce waiting time; supporting doctors with more data for accurate diagnosis; reducing hospital workload; optimizing health insurance funds and improving the efficiency of medical management.

"Connecting test results is not only a cost-saving solution but also the foundation for building a more modern, equitable and sustainable healthcare system," affirmed Dr. Ha Anh Duc.

THANH SON

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/lien-thong-ket-qua-xet-nghiem-xay-dung-he-thong-y-te-hien-dai-cong-bang-va-ben-vung-post815390.html