Implementation of The New Health Information System at SKMC

The Information Technology Division at the Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) managed by Cleveland Clinic will go live with the second phase of the new Health Information System (HIS). The new features of the second phase will add more functionality to improve the patient healthcare experience, greatly reduce the paper medical records, improve patient safety, enhance patient confidentiality and reduce the need for redundant medical tests when visiting any SKMC clinic or hospital. SKMC is owned and operated by SEHA, the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, which is responsible for the curative activities of all the public hospitals and clinics in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

SKMC started the implementation of the Cerner Healthcare Information System (internally branded as the iCare solution) in July 2008 which was launched as part of a SEHA wide initiative to introduce the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) System for all of its facilities. Cerner is a leading worldwide provider of health information systems and technologies. The first phase involved the introduction of systems in Registration, Medical Records, Pharmacy, and Radiology. The second phase will include Physician Order Entry – Medications and Medical Tests, Nursing Documentation, Laboratory, Surgery department, and Emergency department.

“The EMR system will eventually link all SEHA hospitals and clinics in Abu Dhabi, as it have been successfully implemented in Tawam, Corniche, Al Rahba hospitals, some of AHS clinics and today we are witnessing the implementation of the second phase at SKMC”, he added.

Mr. Basheer Al Muhairbi, Information Technology Manager- SEHA added, “We are truly proud of the successful implementation of the HIS and are delighted to see this project implemented after months of studies, planning and hard work”.

“By creating a unified electronic medical record for our hospitals and clinics across the region, the patient can utilize the services of any SEHA facility. The EMR system will help ensure patient information is available when- and wherever a SEHA provider needs it. This system will noticeably accelerate the creation and management of patient records. It will always be up to date and complete. It is state-of-the-art”, he added.

Dr. Tej Maini, CEO of SKMC, said “SKMC adopted the iCare Health Information System since July 2008. We were proud of the improvements that the new system brought us during the first phase.  These improvements allowed our clinicians to partially run tests, make diagnoses, place orders, fill medications, document care and remit bills using a single information system. The new phase which will start from 5 December 2009 will add more features to our clinicians making the healthcare process safer and more efficient for our patients here at SKMC and for the population of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi who use SEHA’s network of facilities”.

Mr. Sulaiman H. Sulaiman, Chief Information Officer of SKMC said, “The second phase of the iCare solution is the next step in our journey to transform patient charts from its current paper state to the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) format.  Studies have shown the implementation and utilization of the EMR enhances patient care and improves patient safety.  At SKMC, our physicians will be able to quickly and easily retrieve test results in the exam room and review them with our patients.  Additionally, the complete installation of the Digital Radiology PACS System in 2009 allowed our physicians to review x-rays and other imaging studies with their patients anywhere within SKMC and the Family Medicine Clinics.”

“Our clinical and technical teams have been diligently working together to ensure that the transition to the new electronic system will be as smooth a possible. A comprehensive infrastructure and computer upgrade was conducted throughout 2009 to provide our staff with the right tools and access to use with the new system.  Over 2800 of our staff have gone through an intensive training program to educate them on the use and benefits of the system.  With the introduction of the new clinical functionality, we anticipate our staff to go through a big adjustment and a learning stage.  Our experience tells, as a result of this change, we anticipate some delays over the first few days as staff become more familiar with the new system. We respectfully request our patients to be patient with the staff during this initial period”, Mr. Sulaiman stated.

A number of clinicians and staff agreed that the HIS solutions saved them time and helped reduce missing charts and inaccurate information during the past year. It improved communication between care providers and patients, which facilitated quicker and more effective patient treatment. The new added features including Physician Order Entry for Medications and Medical Tests, Nursing Documentation, Laboratory, Surgery department, and Emergency department will add more value to the system and enhance the process of prescribing medications, requesting x-rays and other procedures, ordering laboratory tests, viewing the procedure results and documenting health information such as allergies and past medical history.

“SKMC has embraced the technology knowing that it will advance the care to our patients.  We would like to thank all of our clinicians and employees for their involvement, dedication, and tremendous efforts in getting this system started, thus improving patient care. Additionally, we would like to thank the project team members for their dedication and commitment in building the system, training the employees, and deploying both phases of the iCare Solution,” Mr. Sulaiman avowed. “SKMC management would also like to thank our patients in advance for working with us as we refine our processes during the implementation of the new system. The iCare system will ultimately allow us to improve patient safety and enable our employees to provide the highest quality of care possible.”