New Delhi:
In a few months from now, you can book online a bed in All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), just like you make reservations for a train or buy your movie ticket on the internet. While the institute has already gone online for fixing appointments for its out patient department (OPD), AIIMS is now working on a final module to allow bed allotment through the system.
The idea is to bring in transparency as bed allotment in AIIMS continues to be a lottery with 1766 beds and over 40 lakh patients per year.
While beds will still be allotted on doctor’s advice, the online system will help patients track the status when on waiting list. The information technology department at AIIMS is also trying to streamline mechanisms in order to identify patients who would need urgent medical attention. In such cases, the system may automatically expedite the process following the doctor’s consent.
“It will be a very bold step, which requires involvement from all stakeholders, departments and a strong political will. We have already given final touches to the software module and plan to kick start pilot projects in around next three months,” said Dr Deepak Aggarwal, Chairman- Computerization, AIIMS.
According to Dr Aggarwal, pilot projects will be conducted for neurosurgery and cardiac, where the waiting lists are very long. Gradually, all departments will be included.
AIIMS has already started issuing unique health identification (UHID) number that enables individuals to seek an appointment with their doctor through the institute’s patient portal. At present, a patient is required to visit the hospital for the first time to get registered and obtain the UHID.
However, the department plans to make the complete system online by December which will enable a patient with PAN or Aadhaar card to log into the system and get a UHID directly. The move is also aimed at reducing the crowd at AIIMS and streamlining other processes through online intervention. The online system has been made mandatory from September 1 for patients willing to see a doctor in OPD.
AIIMS has also roped in Helpage India to assist elderly and children get a priority for OPD appointments online as well as for beds if required.
While the online system for OPD is currently functional for AIIMS Delhi, it may also be replicated for six other AIIMS in different states by middle of 2015, Dr Aggarwal said.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Delhi / by Sushm Dey, TNN / November 09th, 2014
