Module 14
Module 14
NCM 104
Concept/Digest
eHealth in the community
• With the advent of information and communication technologies, health data and
information can now be shared by one healthcare provider with another through
electronic transmission. Further, the use of internationally recognized standards, and
transmission and validation protocols that ensure client privacy and data protection have
made the exchange feasible in a secure manner.
• At present, a client receives healthcare services in various health facilities such as rural
health units (RHUs), government and/or private hospitals, and private clinics.
• The data remains in the health facilities where services were rendered. Healthcare
providers usually get the clients anecdotal information to obtain pertinent information
from previous health encounters following the traditional practice of using paper forms,
rather than having to access the clients health encounter record from previous health
facilities.
• Often times, this scenario leads to redundancy and additional setback for the client such
as repeating diagnostic procedures that may have been already facilitated in the previous
health encounters, duplication of treatments, inappropriate medication prescription due
to lack of information on allergy triggers, and/or incorrect diagnosis due to insubstantial
health history, among others. These problems can be prevented or eliminated if
healthcare providers have access to quality and complete information anytime and
anywhere.
• Guided by the PeHSP for UHC, one of the identified critical eHealth projects to address
the above situational health condition is the development and implementation of the
Philippine Health Information Exchange (PHIE).
• The PHIE is a platform for secure electronic access and efficient exchange of health data
and/or information among health facilities, health care providers, health information
organizations, and
government
agencies in
accordance with set
national standards in
the interest of
public health. The PHIE
is envisioned to
become an
integral
component of the
health care delivery system as part of health services available to all patients.
• It shall integrate and harmonize health data coming from different electronic medical
record systems and hospital information systems. It shall provide an infrastructure for
data/information sharing between health care providers, and support access to patients
records across providers in all geographic areas of the country; thereby, improving
efficiency and reliability of communication among participating health care providers.
• In general, its implementation shall promote public health, improve total patient care and
better decision making, while safeguarding the right to privacy of every individual.
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) – diverse set of technological tools and
resources used to communicate and to create, disseminate, store, and manage information.
eHealth – Use of ICT for health. May 25, 2005 the fifty – eight World Health Assembly, was
adopted by the WHO recognizing eHealth as the cost -effective way using ICT in the health care
service, health surveillance, health literature, health education and research.
DOH introduced several health information systems that aim to improve the access of health
data.
1. Electronic Field Health Service Information System
2. Online National Electronic Injury Surveillance System
3. Philippine Health Atlas
4. Unified Health Management Information System
DOH Administrative Order No. 2010-0036, outlined the policy directions of universal health care.
Known as Kalusugan Pangkaahatan this reform agenda has three priority health directions:
1. Financial risk protection through program enrolment and benefit delivery.
2. Improved access to quality hospitals and health care facilities.
3. Attainment of the health- related
Millennium Development Goals
Telemedicine – WHO define telemedicine as, “the delivery of health care services, where
distance is a critical factor, by all health care professionals using information and communications
technologies for the exchange of valid information for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of
disease and injuries, research and evaluation and for the continuing education of the health care
providers, all in the interests of advancing the health of individuals and their communities”
eLearning is basically the use of electronic tools to aid in teaching. Can also be used to educate
fellow health professionals.
Learning activity
1. Discuss other possible reasons causing delay in implementing ehealth systems in the country.
2. Search for other existing community-based electronic medical records and telemedicine
projects that may be applicable in the Philippines.
3. Visit a health center and simply observe the workflow and overall situation. What are the
processes that simplify the staff’s productivity?