Apply a The collaborative care model is an approach that can help reduce rising health care costs globally. Island Hospital, a private level four hospital in Malaysia, is setting a good example of this by building an integrated healthcare ecosystem that promotes collaboration and cooperation between stakeholders. mandarin.
“Collaborative models enable healthcare providers to reach broader populations, including underserved communities, thereby addressing health disparities and reducing the burden of preventable diseases. These models facilitate early detection and intervention, allowing for timely management of health risks before they progress to more serious and costly events.” conditions”, Island Hospital Chief of Staff Lim Kooi Ling said.
At the heart of this approach, she revealed, is digital technology.
How digital strengthens preventative care collaboration
The 600-bed hospital in Penang has been a fully EMR-integrated facility since 2020. “Despite facing an unexpected closure on March 18, 2020, Island Hospital remains steadfast in its commitment and went live two days later, Lim said, sharing an interesting anecdote that Island Hospital is using Vesalius, Nova’s clinical and hospital information system.
The hospital, which serves nearly 400,000 patients each year, also partnered with Nova to develop VESALIUS.m, a mobile patient application. It has a booking system, real-time queue tracker and access to information, such as doctor directories, patient visit and payment history. Patient feedback forms, loyalty programs for children and seniors, and health check-up promotional packages are also included in the app.
These two technologies are used in tandem to promote collaboration, especially for preventative care.
“In consultations involving multiple expert or interdisciplinary teams, an EMR system facilitates information sharing and seamless communication,” Lim explains. Specialists will be able to access relevant patient data and contribute their insights directly within the EMR, ensuring a coordinated approach to patient care.”
“The VESALIUS.m app complements the EMR system by empowering patients to actively participate in their own healthcare journey. Patients can use the app to book appointments, access medical records and receive appointment notifications, promoting a proactive approach to preventive care, as a patient.” can easily monitor their health status and follow through with recommended follow-up or screening appointments.”
In addition to the EMR and mobile app, Island Hospital is developing an arsenal of digital tools to support collaborative preventative care. “Island Hospital is in the process of implementing further enhancements to its IT framework. This includes AI-based PACS as well as an electronic blood banking system.”
These technologies will also underpin the hospital’s ambitious Island Medical City project. The medical district will have medical offices with diverse specialists, facilitating a multi-specialty approach to health promotion. Additionally, these software suites will help reduce overall costs for individual practitioners while ensuring their access to critical technologies.
Emphasize cooperation
Insurance companies had predicted one A recent report by Willis Towers Watson noted that healthcare costs in Asia Pacific have increased by double digits this year. “With healthcare costs rising at an estimated rate of 6% per year, there is a need to address this disparity to ensure that healthcare is accessible and affordable to all,” Lim emphasized. affordable”.
“By emphasizing shared goals and coordinated care approaches, collaborative preventive care can optimize health care utilization, reducing hospitalizations and emergency room visits.” unnecessary surgery, and ultimately reduce health care costs.”
“Digital technology facilitates these collaborations, encouraging a more integrated and comprehensive approach to patient care. Enhanced communication channels and access to disease information Integrated staffing enables teams to work more cohesively, leading to more efficient and coordinated care delivery.”
