Health Information Management System (HIMS)
In India, the concept of a health management system in the public healthcare system is nonexistent, and where it does exist it is rudimentary at best. Most hospitals continue to maintain no records, patient history or information. Primary healthcare institutions often maintain handwritten records, which are neither traceable nor valuable for further health interventions.
The HIMS aims to revolutionise healthcare management in the state by taking it to global standards. A project of this scale and calibre has never been taken up in India. Notably, the e-Health Cards too, will be the first of their kind in the country where all medical information of the patient will be stored on the cloud.
Given the vision of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of building a modern and world-class public healthcare system in Delhi, DDC recommended the Health Department to initiate the design and implementation of an advanced cloud-based health information management system, online registration system, redesigning of OPDs, digitisation and automation of various hospital departments, like pharmacy, radiology and labs, and setting up of a centralised call centre for patient information and assistance to transform the healthcare system of Delhi.
Objectives of HIMS
The main objectives of the HIMS project are as follows:
- An improved patient experience by promoting preventive and personalised care;
- Enhanced transparency, and efficiency of healthcare delivery at all levels;
- Enable data and fact-based decision-making.
To begin with, the Department of Health & Family Welfare initiated the revamping of the OPD, pharmacy and lab facilities in Lok Nayak Hospital (LNH) and Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital (GIPMER) through a computerised Health Information Management System (HIMS). Subsequently, DDC worked closely with the Health Department in drafting the tender for the HIMS project covering the entire public healthcare system in Delhi. The vendor selection process was duly completed in August 2021 and the HIMS project is set to be implemented by 2023.
Key Features
The ambitious health transformation initiative aims to create an integrated health ecosystem by linking all healthcare facilities, including hospitals, Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinics, polyclinics, community services and resources such as human resources, equipment and supplies.
All services related to patient care, such as hospital administration, budgeting and planning, supply chain management, back-end services and processes, etc. will be brought under this system.
Implementation of this system will help patients schedule appointments online, access their medical reports on their phones and also avail of telemedicine from their homes. It will enable better management of the patient load, reduce crowding in hospitals and waiting time, and improve the transparency and accountability of Delhi's medical facilities.
As part of the project, QR code-based health cards will be issued to each resident of Delhi. The e-health card will contain the entire medical history of the cardholder and people will be able to get treated at any hospital which is connected to the HIMS system. One will not be required to carry medical reports and documents if they have this card and the electronic health records contained in these cards will only be accessed by the doctors with the patient's consent.
Delhi's attempt at creating an integrated healthcare management system at the city scale, ranging from primary healthcare services to hospitals would be an ambitious benchmark for India as well as globally.
