Hanoi pilots electronic health record solution

Following the plan issued on November 6 by Hanoi People's Committee, the city will integrate electronic health records (EHRs) into the VNeID app, Vietnam's national e-identification platform managed by the Ministry of Public Security. The goal is to enable healthcare facilities to share patients' data, thereby enhancing the quality of medical services.

The integration of EHR on the VNeID app will be rolled out in two phases.

In phase one, Hanoi will assign medical facility codes to healthcare institutions and issue accounts linked to the VNeID EHR system. Simultaneously, to prepare for the connection of health data with the Health Insurance Data Verification Portal in the next phase, the city will conduct training and guidance for healthcare facilities. The tasks in this phase are expected to be completed by November 20.

In phase two, the EHR data from healthcare institutions will be interconnected with the health insurance data verification portal of Vietnam Social Security, aiming to ensure the integration of data from the electronic health record with the state management data repository after patients complete their medical visits.

Electronic health records will be integrated into VNeID, Vietnam's national e-identification platform. Photo: baodautu.vn

The Ministry of Health is responsible for overseeing the results of this pilot phase and determining the completion timeline for the plan. During the implementation, results will be assessed and reported to the ministry every six months.

According to Hanoi People's Committee, the VNeID-based EHR system will allow healthcare facilities, including both public and private institutions, to easily share patients’ data. This is expected to improve the quality of medical services, save time and resources, and avoid redundant procedures at different healthcare institutions.

Additionally, the solution will help reduce administrative paperwork and costs for patients during medical visits, making it easier to manage and monitor personal health information in a timely and continuous manner.

For hospitals and medical staff, the EHR system will provide comprehensive information on illnesses, medical history, and risk factors affecting health, allowing for a more thorough assessment of a patient’s condition. This will enable faster, more accurate diagnoses, earlier disease detection, and timely treatment in the early stages of illnesses, ultimately leading to higher treatment efficiency and reduced healthcare costs.

To build an effective data repository starting from healthcare institutions, the People's Committee has tasked Hanoi's Department of Health with directing medical facilities to accept patient identification numbers such as the national ID card, personal identification number, or health insurance card number. Basic information data will be submitted to the national insurance database immediately after patients complete their medical visits.

People's committees of districts, towns, and municipalities in Hanoi will be responsible for preparing the necessary infrastructure, staff, and equipment to assist citizens in installing the VNeID app, activating level-2 electronic identification accounts, and integrating health insurance cards into VNeID.

The implementation of the electronic health record system is part of Hanoi’s comprehensive plan, which aims to support the national digital transformation strategy.

The target is that by 2025, all healthcare facilities (both public and private) and residents in the city will be using the EHR system.

After 2025, all Hanoi residents, including those without health insurance, will have an electronic health record on the VNeID app, with 30 per cent of the population using electronic records during medical visits.

Additionally, by 2025, the goal is for 100 per cent of residents to be able to register for criminal record certificates through VNeID.

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