Putian completes first phase construction of health information system
Shanghai. July 21. INTERFAX-CHINA - Putian City in southern China's Fujian Province has completed first phase construction of its health information system, the Fujian Provincial Health Bureau announced on July 21.
According to the announcement, first phase construction, consisting of the establishment of automated office and video monitoring systems, began in August 2008 with investment of RMB 7 million ($1.02 million).
Putian is the first city in Fujian to complete first phase construction of its health information system under the health care reform, an official from the Putian Health Bureau, surnamed Xu, told Interfax on July 21.
"The automated office system setup in health departments at city and district levels as well as in medical institutions will facilitate the exchange of information between health authorities and medical institutions, as such, raising working efficiency," Xu said, adding that the video monitoring system will allow health officials to better supervise medical services in hospitals.
Second phase construction will cost over RMB 10 million ($1.46 million) and includes the setup of integrated medical card, video conferencing and remote medical consultation systems. It is expected to be completed before the end of 2010.
"The new medical card system will allow hospitals to share general information of patients and integrate the functions of basic medical insurance cards and bank cards," Xu said.
According to Xu, the final phase of construction of the health information system will involve the setup of a patient health record system, likely to require a substantially higher amount of investment.
-KZ