In a significant stride towards digitising healthcare services in the region, the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, has successfully activated its advanced Hospital Information System (HIS) at its satellite centre in Sangrur, Punjab. This move marks a pivotal step in extending the premier institute's technological capabilities to its outreach facilities.
A Digital Leap for Satellite Healthcare
The operationalisation of the integrated Hospital Information System at the Sangrur centre was officially confirmed by PGIMER's Director, Professor Dr. Vivek Lal. The system went live recently, transforming the administrative and clinical workflow at the satellite centre. This initiative is part of a broader plan to digitally interconnect all of PGI's satellite centres, with Sangrur being the first to benefit from this technological upgrade.
The Sangrur satellite centre itself was inaugurated by Punjab's Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann, in November 2023. Since its launch, the centre has been providing crucial super-speciality healthcare services to the local population, reducing the need for patients to travel to Chandigarh for advanced treatment.
How the New System Enhances Patient Care
The newly implemented Hospital Information System is a comprehensive digital platform designed to streamline hospital operations. Its activation brings a host of benefits for both patients and hospital staff.
For patients, the system introduces a seamless process for online registration and appointment scheduling. This is expected to drastically reduce waiting times and long queues. Furthermore, the HIS enables the generation of digital patient records, including Unique Health Identifiers (UHIDs), lab reports, and discharge summaries. This ensures that a patient's medical history is securely stored and easily accessible for future consultations, promoting continuity of care.
On the clinical side, doctors can now digitally prescribe medications and order diagnostic tests with a few clicks. The system integrates various departments, allowing for the efficient management of hospital beds, pharmacy inventory, and billing processes. This digital integration minimises manual errors, speeds up service delivery, and allows medical professionals to focus more on patient care rather than paperwork.
Future Expansion and Strategic Goals
The activation at Sangrur is not an isolated project but the beginning of a larger digital transformation. PGIMER authorities have outlined plans to implement the same Hospital Information System across its other satellite centres located in Fazilka, Ferozepur, and Una in the near future.
This network-wide digitisation aligns with the national push for robust digital health infrastructure. By creating a unified system, PGI aims to ensure that patients receive a consistent standard of care, whether they visit the main institute in Chandigarh or any of its satellite units. The digital records will facilitate better referral systems and collaborative treatment plans between centres.
The successful launch in Sangrur demonstrates PGIMER's commitment to leveraging technology to bridge the healthcare gap between urban and rural areas. It sets a benchmark for other tertiary care institutions looking to expand their reach through satellite centres powered by modern information technology.
