Reusing 1% of test results could save about 300 billion VND per year

According to estimates by the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment, reusing just 1-2% of paraclinical tests can save at least 300 billion to 600 billion VND/year.

Taking blood for testing from a patient. (Photo: Mai Trang/VNA)

“Every year, the total cost of testing and diagnostic imaging for medical examination and treatment nationwide is nearly 30,000 billion VND, accounting for about 1/5 of the total cost of medical examination and treatment under Health Insurance. If medical facilities connect data and accept each other's test and diagnostic imaging results, it will significantly reduce costs, time, and effort of patients, doctors, and the Health Insurance Fund. It is estimated that reusing just 1% of test and diagnostic imaging results can save about 300 billion VND per year.”

This information was given at the conference to summarize the project "Strengthening the capacity of the medical laboratory quality management system for the period 2016-2025" and deploy the connection of test results, organized by the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management ( Ministry of Health ) in Ho Chi Minh City on September 29.

Dr. Ha Anh Duc, Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management, said the development of modern medicine based on evidence and individualization has increased the need for prescribing paraclinical techniques to serve diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, the cost of testing and diagnosis is increasingly high.

In 2024, the cost of testing and paraclinical examination will be nearly 30,000 billion VND, accounting for 19.1% of the total cost of medical examination and treatment under health insurance, not including co-payment costs and on-demand services.

According to estimates by the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment, reusing just 1-2% of paraclinical tests can save at least 300 billion to 600 billion VND/year.

“Strict quality management for the connection and reuse of medical test results is extremely important and brings great benefits to patients, medical facilities and the health insurance system,” affirmed Dr. Ha Anh Duc.

According to Dr. Ha Anh Duc, when connecting and reusing test results, patients significantly reduce medical examination and treatment costs, and do not have to redo tests (blood, urine, imaging...) when transferring from one hospital to another or for re-examination.

Patients can also save time and effort, without having to wait to take samples, perform tests, and wait for results from the beginning, helping the medical examination and treatment process to be faster and more convenient, reducing hospital overload.

Connecting and reusing test results and diagnostic images also reduces hassle and fatigue, especially for the elderly, seriously ill people or people who have to travel far for medical examination and treatment.

A report from the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment shows that Vietnam currently has nearly 500/3,000 laboratories that have been standardized, evaluated, certified, and have their test results made public.

Many hospitals have connected and reused test results at a high rate, typically: Tu Du Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City has accepted 100% of tests (complete blood cell analysis, blood coagulation, biochemistry, microbiology, HIV, HBsAg, syphilis) from outside medical facilities (from laboratories licensed by the Department of Health).

Gia Dinh People's Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City also accepts 100% of test results and diagnostic imaging results that are referred to the hospital for examination and treatment.

Other hospitals such as Children's Hospital 1 in Ho Chi Minh City, Nguyen Trai Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, National Children's Hospital, Hue Central Hospital; Central Maternity Hospital... have also implemented the reuse of results when receiving, examining and treating patients.

To promote the connection of medical examination and treatment results, including paraclinical tests, the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment, Ministry of Health has advised on the issuance of a common code list for nearly 100,000 specialized terms and techniques to promptly serve the application of advanced electronic medical records. Of which, there are 2,964 common code lists for testing techniques, creating conditions for the connection of results when applying electronic medical records and currently many laboratories have applied technical codes with this common code.

Ms. Lindsay Kim, Acting Country Director, Director of the Global Health Security Program, US CDC in Vietnam, assessed that in recent years, Vietnam has made significant progress in issuing policies, regulations and guidelines to support laboratories. The Vietnamese Ministry of Health also has a clear vision and desire to build a laboratory system to serve the needs of the people and meet national and international standards.

In the coming time, the US CDC is committed to supporting Vietnam in strengthening its laboratory system for the common goal of improving the capacity of the public health system and global health quality./.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/su-dung-lai-1-ket-qua-xet-nghiem-co-the-tiet-kiem-khoang-300-ty-dong-moi-nam-5060353.html