Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health has launched an image exchange solution to be included in the region’s Malaffi health information exchange platform.
The solution will provide authorised clinicians with secure access to radiology and diagnostic images as part of patients’ records.
Following a phased approach, two million radiology images from more than 60 different healthcare sites across Abu Dhabi will be available through Malaffi, including X-Rays, CT scans, MRIs and ultrasound images.
Reem Hospital and nine hospitals from the NMC Healthcare group are already connected and sharing radiology images. Once all sites are connected, patients will no longer need to take hard copy scans and CDs to each appointment.
WHY IT MATTERS
The time and effort spent retrieving radiology and diagnostic images from disparate systems poses a significant burden on patients and healthcare providers. Secure access to radiology images is essential for clinicians to make better decisions and improve delivery of high quality patient care.
Access to images is particularly important for surgeons, gynaecologists and obstetricians, internal medicine specialists and cancer care teams to have one holistic view of patients’ medical history from appointments at multiple facilities.
It also reduces the need to duplicate expensive and invasive radiology investigations, which safeguards patients from unnecessary radiation and reduces time and cost.
THE LARGER CONTEXT
According to Persistence Market Research, medical image exchange systems are expected to be adopted globally at a significant pace due to the growing adoption of IoT in the healthcare industry.
Google Cloud recently announced the launch of its Medical Imaging Suite to help accessibility and interoperability of radiology and other imaging data.
ON THE RECORD
H.E. Dr Jamal Mohammed Al Kaabi, undersecretary, Abu Dhabi DoH said: “The introduction of image exchange solution to the Malaffi provider portal will heavily contribute to continuous development of a robust and fully digitalised healthcare sector in the Emirate.”
Robert Denson, acting CEO, Malaffi said: “Ensuring that radiology images are part of the exchanged information is the latest string to Malaffi’s bow and part of our continuous efforts to improve the scope and clinical value of Malaffi and to offer a holistic view of patient records.”
Mark Adams, interim CEO, NMC Healthcare said: “Medical imaging forms the bedrock of diagnosis, and with the addition of the image exchange solution Malaffi has taken further steps towards offering a comprehensive and holistic digital health ecosystem. When physicians share medical images, they can build better and deeper referral networks and more accurate diagnosis, increase efficiencies, save clinical time and track patient progress through their treatment journey.”
Naushad Mohammed, IT director, Reem Hospital said: “We’re delighted to be among the first healthcare facilities to contribute to the image exchange solution provided by Malaffi. The implementation of world-class clinical care pathways is critical as we strive to become a leading and trusted hospital in the UAE.”
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