The Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (Seha) has implemented an advanced EMR (electronic medical record) functionality, which allows its physicians to view and share on a patients care regardless of the patient’s location.

The new software feature enables medical staff to easily access medical records from any location at any location. The physician uses the unique Seha patient identifier to view medical records, tests, recommendations and previous medical history.

“This advanced technology enables our medical staff to access unified electronic patient records throughout Seha facilities through a simple, swift, and secure process,” said Robert Pickton, chief information officer, Seha.

“The EMR is a key initiative of Seha’s strategy to adopt state-of-the-art technology that complements the Abu Dhabi government’s drive to develop excellence in health care.”

Basheer Al Mehairbi, deputy chief information officer at Seha, said: “Deploying this feature has proved to be a tremendous milestone as it facilitates the process of physicians gaining access to the patients’ comprehensive medical record.”

“Most of our facilities have successfully implemented the EMR with Al Mafraq Hospital and Al Gharbia (Western Region) Hospitals deploying the system in the first quarter of 2011,” he added.

A number of cases demonstrate what the new feature can offer. A 65-year old Emirati man with multiple complex medical problems who was admitted at Al Rahba Hospital was referred to Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) for possible patient transfer and further care.

By using the unique Seha patient identifier, the medical staff at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) accessed the patient’s integrated medical record, reviewed lab tests, patient’s current clinical status, and real time review of all nursing, medical, and paramedical documentation and the treatment recommendations were made to the Al Rahba medical team regardless the patient’s location.

“We are very proud of the success this feature has achieved. It’s a pleasure to witness these groundbreaking results, which are a product of intense research and planning. The project is one of a series of programmes Seha is implementing in order to improve the standards of healthcare services in Abu Dhabi, “concluded Al Mehairbi. – TradeArabia News Service