By Emily Norman
Wairarapa DHB is uniting medical providers across the region with a single patient database.
It is one of several DHBs in the Central Region which will be rolling out a unified patient information system, a potentially life-saving initiative.
This new clinical portal is a work in progress for Wairarapa DHB and, once launched, will enable the sharing of patient records with healthcare facilities throughout Wairarapa, Whanganui, MidCentral, Hawke’s Bay, Hutt Valley and Capital & Coast.
Having a shared system means if a patient from one area has an accident or medical event that sees them admitted to another hospital in the region, the clinicians treating that patient would be able to access their medical information a lot quicker, which in extreme circumstances, could be life-saving.
Wairarapa DHB has appointed a project officer to manage the complex systems upgrade which is hoped to go live within the next year or so.
It is already live in Whanganui and has been well received with a positive response from staff.
Dr Tom Gibson, Chief Medical officer of the Wairarapa DHB and member of the Regional Health Informatics Programme steering group said the Clinical Portal is a significant advance in the provision of safe, high quality care.
“The provision of up to date and high quality information technology systems is essential for both good clinical care and corporate management within the DHB,” he said.
“The benefits of a regional IT system are significant for both patients and clinicians, and the Wairarapa DHB looks forward to providing these benefits for the people of this community.”
A spokesperson for Wairarapa DHB said the board is committed to investing in the IT system being developed as part of the regional plan.
In the 2016/17 year, the Wairarapa DHB has committed funding for the installation of the updated Patient Administration System, WebPas, which will be the foundation for the development of the Clinical Portal.
“In Wairarapa, it is a key priority and our new Project Lead takes up the reins in two weeks’ time,” the spokesperson said.
“We are committed to getting WebPAS running within a year, and will be working to be on board as soon as it is effectively possible.”
