Overcoming difficulties in implementing electronic medical records
Implementing the Government's electronic medical record project, according to the Prime Minister's regulations, the implementation of electronic medical records must be completed by September 30 at the latest. Medical units have proactively started implementation since the beginning of the year, going through many continuous implementation steps.
BSCKII Nguyen Canh Viet - Deputy Director in charge of the Hai Chau Regional Medical Center, Da Nang City said that initially, the unit conducted the digitization of file formats according to Circular 32, completing the digitization of file formats on the hospital's HIS system.
After that, the departments will deploy and operate many items in parallel. When completing the digitalization, the unit began integrating the RIS - PACS system of imaging diagnosis, followed by the LIS system for testing.
When the RIS, PACS, and HIS systems are operating stably, the hospital will run electronic medical record demos. To date, this system has been tested for 2 months. On September 22, 2025, the Center announced official information on the website of the Ministry of Health, and on September 25, the Department of Health conducted an appraisal of the unit's electronic medical records, the results met the requirements and were successfully assessed.
"During the implementation process, the entire team of officers and medical staff of the unit has been studying, working, and adjusting to complete the system. In particular, the IT department has only 2 staff, the workload and pressure are huge.
The application of electronic medical records also brings many difficulties for the team of doctors, nurses, and nurses - when taking care of patients while performing electronic medical records. Initially, there were many errors, but through the process of making - learning - updating, the system gradually became more stable and more convenient to operate", said BSCKII Nguyen Canh Viet.
Quick medical examination, no documents thanks to electronic medical records
A notable highlight in the implementation of electronic medical records at the center is the installation of a smart kiosk at the medical examination and treatment registration area. Here, people only need to use a chip-embedded citizen ID card, the system will automatically recognize their face, synchronize personal information and create an electronic medical examination book immediately.
The entire operation takes place in a few minutes: the patient puts the citizen ID card in a scanning machine, biometric authentication system, then selects the department or doctor they want to examine on the touch screen. Immediately after completion, the information is automatically transferred to the reception department and saved in the electronic medical record (EMR).
According to Dr. Nguyen Canh Viet, patients are the ones who benefit the most from the implementation of electronic medical records. Right from the admission stage, patients only need to carry a citizen identification card to complete the registration for examination and treatment, without having to bring a book or documents. The entire process from registration, examination, paraclinical indication, reading of results, prescribing drugs is all done on the electronic system.
Visiting the center for medical examination, Ms. Nguyen Thi Dung - Thanh Khe ward said that registering for medical examination via electronic kiosk is very quick, without having to queue up or carry many documents as before.
"I just need to bring my citizen identification card and scan the code on my machine to have a system with full information, very convenient. From the registration stage to getting the results are quick and clear. I am satisfied because I do not waste time waiting, Ms. Dung shared.
The implementation of electronic medical records is not only a step forward in the digital transformation of the health sector but also demonstrates the spirit of efforts to overcome difficulties of the team of staff and doctors.
Despite many challenges in terms of human resources and technology, with perseverance and creativity, the units have gradually completed the system, bringing satisfaction to people when enjoying more modern, transparent and convenient medical services.
