BANGKOK HOSPITAL FOCUSES ON ITS IT SYSTEMS

Bangkok Hospital plans to double its IT budget this year to upgrade its hospital information, electronic medical records, and radiology information systems, with the aim to increase its healthcare service quality.

The hospital’s chief information officer, Dr Somsak Wankilcharoen, said that this year the hospital plans to digitise all medical records throughout the hospital’s 40 organisations to electronic medical records; to invest in the radiology information system with a view to increase the capability of its x-ray services; and to upgrade its existing hospital information system which has been implemented for many years. 

“Usually, the hospital invests 5 per cent of total revenue in IT. But this year we have almost doubled our IT budget. Bangkok Hospital has been investing in IT for many years. We continue to keeping investing in IT to enhance the hospital’s work process, healthcare service quality, and to increase customer satisfaction,” Somsak said.

He added that in the hospital, there are two main parts involving IT – the core system called hospital information system, and the support systems. 

Additionally, the hospital also plans to increase “smart ICU [intensive care unit] rooms” from the current 16 rooms to a total of 60 rooms by the end of this year. The smart ICU room is equipped with technology and automated systems for real-time monitoring of a patient’s condition.

“We also have four mobile ICU cars and two mobile CCU [coronary care unit] cars, all of which are equipped with medical tools and the global positioning system. The hospital can monitor all ICU and ambulances to better manage the resources,” said Somsak.

The hospital is also investing in a support system with the implementation of the Microsoft Share Point throughout the 29 campuses in the next 18 months after rolling out Microsoft Exchange throughout all campuses last year.

He added that the Microsoft Share Point and Exchange could help the hospital staff of all departments to work together and collaborate with others efficiently.

“The hospital is trialling Microsoft Lync, a unified communications platform integrated into Microsoft Office, including IM, audio, video, Web conferencing and presence,” said Somsak.