New Delhi: Enabling healthcare through technology involves harnessing digital innovations to enhance the accessibility, quality, and efficiency of healthcare services. Technology-driven solutions aim to improve patient care, facilitate data sharing among providers, and empower individuals to manage their health more effectively.
During the National HealthTech Innovation Conclave, hosted by APAC News Network, in New Delhi, Professor Ajai Singh, the Executive Director and CEO of AIIMS Bhopal, talked on the topic of “Enabling Healthcare with Technology” and about the different ways AIIMS has integrated technology with their healthcare system to create system beneficial for both patients and doctors.
Swasthya App- An initiative by AIIMS
This app serves both medical professionals and patients affiliated with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Bhopal. Patients are given the option to register on the app and schedule appointments. Additionally, they can manage their appointments by canceling or checking details related to hospital OPD, laboratory services, and tariff inquiries.
Meanwhile, doctors can log in to the app using their credentials and access the web-based OPD LITE, as well as access information regarding inquiries about OPD, laboratory services, and tariff details.
Prof Singh said this initiative not only saved patients’ time, but also reduced a huge economic burden, because they used to arrive a day or two early to get their appointments. They stood in queues for hours, which were also reduced by two hours, along with queues for payments.
“AIIMS Bhopal also gives live updates on the number of beds available in the hospital, which ensures easy admission, or a smooth transfer of patients from other hospitals,” Singh added.
Power of telemedicine in tribal areas
“21% of the total population of Madhya Pradesh is tribal, and tribal health is a big issue. It is not concentrated in one place, which makes it difficult to approach them,” Prof Singh explained, appreciating the fact that AIIMS Bhopal is able to treat patients in these tribal areas through telemedicine.
Telemedicine, a rapidly evolving facet of modern healthcare that involves the use of technology to provide remote medical services and consultations. It allows patients to connect with healthcare professionals virtually, via video calls, phone calls, or even text messages, making healthcare more accessible and convenient.
Beyond general consultations, it allows remote monitoring of chronic conditions, mental health support, and prescription refills. Telemedicine has the potential to enhance healthcare efficiency, reduce costs, and improve patient outcomes by offering timely access to medical expertise.
e-ICU
Particularly valuable for smaller or rural hospitals that may not have access to a full team of critical care specialists, e-ICUs help improve the quality of care, reduce mortality rates, and enhance patient outcomes by providing 24/7 monitoring and support.
A centralised team of critical care specialists in a command centre tracks patient data in real-time, communicates via video conferencing, and uses data analytics and artificial intelligence to identify potential issues, reduce response times, and offer continuous monitoring and clinical decision support.
e-Follow Up
E-follow up in healthcare refers to the practice of electronically monitoring and communicating with patients to ensure their well-being, track recovery, and provide ongoing care. This can include post-discharge check-ins, chronic disease management, medication adherence reminders, appointment notifications, tele-health consultations, patient education, and communicating test results.
e-Prescription
It a digital system used in healthcare to create, transmit, and store prescriptions electronically, replacing traditional paper-based prescriptions. It enables healthcare providers to generate and send medication orders directly to pharmacies through secure electronic channels. Singh said AIIMS Bhopal digitally provides reports of blood-work and test results to patients via WhatsApp.
