Singapore Medicines: Community hospitals to share medical records electronically by Q1

By Julia Ng, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE: At least 4,000 patients can expect better care, improved drug safety, fewer repeat tests and lower costs when the Electronic Medical Records Exchange (EMRX) is extended to community hospitals by the first quarter of 2008.

The Health Ministry says the Ang Mo Kio-Thye Hua Kwan Community Hospital is the first to hook up to the EMRX.

EMRX started in November 2007 and has linked up medical records of patients who visit public healthcare institutions such as public hospitals, specialist centres and polyclinics.

With EMRX, doctors in the community hospitals can access electronic medical records of patients who are referred from any restructured hospital.

Likewise, when a patient in step-down care goes back to the restructured hospital, doctors there could also access the patient's records of treatment and medical tests done at the community hospital.

This integration of healthcare across the sector means faster diagnosis and treatment.

The EMRX will be extended to other community hospitals like the Bright Vision Hospital, Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital, St Andrew's Community Hospital and St Luke's Hospital by April 2008.

The Health Ministry stressed that patient confidentiality is strictly maintained as only doctors and healthcare professionals who are bound by the law and professional ethics, will have access to patients' electronic medical records. - CNA/vm