According to data from the Ministry of Health, up to now, the whole country has more than 1,800 medical examination and treatment facilities, but only 270 medical facilities have announced the completion of electronic medical records. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health requires hospitals to deploy electronic medical records by September 30, 2025 at the latest.
According to Directive No. 07 dated March 14, 2025 of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Health is assigned the task of directing hospitals nationwide to complete the implementation of electronic medical records before September 30, 2025. Mr. Do Truong Duy, Director of the National Center for Medical Information, emphasized that this implementation "cannot be delayed any longer".
According to Mr. Duy, 270 medical facilities announcing the completion of electronic medical records is a modest number compared to the set target. The main reason is that many medical facilities are still facing difficulties in funding, information technology infrastructure (IT), human resources as well as lack of synchronous coordination between sectors and levels.
In Hanoi, there are currently 11/42 public hospitals under the Hanoi Department of Health that have completed the implementation of electronic medical records, including: Xanh Pon General Hospital, Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Hanoi Oncology Hospital, Dong Anh General Hospital, Van Dinh General Hospital, Hoe Nhai General Hospital, Soc Son General Hospital, Ba Vi District General Hospital, Quoc Oai District General Hospital, My Duc District General Hospital, Hanoi Children's Hospital (26.2%).
Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Xuan Co, Director of Bach Mai Hospital, said that the hospital has successfully deployed the electronic medical record system since November 2024. This is the first special-class hospital in the country to conduct un paperful medical examination and treatment, helping to store and manage all patient information online, thereby improving the effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment, reducing errors, saving time and costs.
In particular, not printing X-ray films, computer cuts, magnetic resonance and related documents helps the hospital save about 100 billion VND per year. This amount of money is reinvested in upgrading the information technology system and promoting digital transformation.
According to Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Xuan Co, electronic medical records not only reduce printing and archiving costs but also create conditions for sharing patient information between medical facilities, enhancing continuity in treatment, especially important for chronic diseases. In addition, data from electronic medical records also supports analysis and provides optimal treatment regimens for each patient.
This conversion is an important step in modernizing the health care process, improving service quality and optimizing resources at Bach Mai Hospital.
The Ministry of Health has issued a roadmap for units to quickly deploy electronic medical records by September 30 at the latest. Accordingly, medical examination and treatment facilities licensed to operate in the form of hospitals are required to deploy electronic medical records by September 30 at the latest.
For other medical examination and treatment facilities with inpatients, day care and outpatient treatment, electronic medical records will be deployed, to be completed by December 31, 2026.
Despite the difficulties, Mr. Do Truong Duy commented that the past 2 months have witnessed a clear acceleration, with 60-70 facilities announcing completion each month. With close guidance from the Government and synchronous coordination between localities, the goal of completing the implementation of electronic medical records at 100% of medical facilities will be completed according to the roadmap.
