The paediatric surgical unit at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital has implemented a digital patient record system that it says has assisted the hospital to significantly improve patient care.
Dr Jerome Loveland, head of paediatric surgery at the hospital, says that technology plays a significant role in improving patient care, as well as providing credible and accurate academic research.
The Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital - or Bara - is the largest acute care hospital in the world. An acute care hospital provides specialist care and treatment.
With an increase of 28% in the past nine years in the paediatric surgical department alone, it was imperative to find a solution that would enable the hospital to improve patient record keeping, says IQ Business Group.
According to Dr Loveland, the new system, 'Simplify MD', has made a remarkable difference, providing reliable patient information that is easily accessible.
“The system provides comprehensive documentation of operations and a discharge summary, enabling us to make informed and accurate decisions timeously.”
Simplify MD is a healthcare IT system donated to Bara by The IQ Business Group. The company says it has also trained department employees and continues to provide support.
“The decision to partner with the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and the paediatric surgical department was not difficult,” says Adam Craker, CEO of IQ Business Group SA.
“We could see upfront that Simplify MD would assist Dr Loveland and his team to make a difference to the lives of their patients and their families every single day.”
He says the increased strain on public and private health sectors to keep up with demand is a global challenge.
“This is a particularly an issue in SA, where public health consumes around 11% of the government's total budget and the rapid growing private sector works feverishly to help, says Matt Ethington, Simplify MD's president.
Dr Loveland says another vital component of the system is that it allows the department to create a comprehensive and up-to-date database that will enable the hospital to contribute to academic research in addition to providing clinical care.
“The improved database will provide vital information at our fingertips, enabling us to conduct research into illnesses, communities, genders, recovery processes and so much more. We are excited about the opportunities this system has provided to us and our patients.”
Simplify MD says its system is one that can be applied across disciplines while allowing users total access to information instantly and simultaneously from a remote or actual environment.
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