Patna: The Bihar Health Department will introduce a software-based referral system to enable real-time monitoring of patients referred from one healthcare facility to another. The state also plans to integrate the 102 and 108 ambulance services and connect them with hospitals through an emergency network.
The decisions were taken during a health department review meeting chaired by Health Minister Nishant at the State Health Society auditorium in Patna.
Under the proposed system, the condition of a patient requiring emergency referral will be assessed inside the ambulance. The patient’s status will then be communicated to the central control centre through a dashboard, officials said.
The emergency network will link the 102 and 108 ambulance services with hospitals, allowing hospitals to receive information about patients being transported to them.
Real-time hospital bed information
The department also plans to introduce QR code-based bed management and ensure real-time updating of bed availability in government hospitals.
Kiosks installed in ambulances will provide real-time information on available beds at government hospitals, while the patient’s current location will also be shared with the concerned hospital.
The system will initially be tested as a pilot project involving AIIMS Patna, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS), Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), and Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH).
Focus on telemedicine and AI
The review meeting also discussed the use of smart ambulances, telemedicine and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the quality, accessibility and efficiency of healthcare services.
The minister directed officials to establish a command-and-control centre for the Health Department and ensure real-time entry of bed availability through the proposed QR code-based system.
Under another proposed initiative, information related to patients’ diet and nutrition will be collected with the help of Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and JEEViKA workers.
Information on effective medicines will also be compiled with inputs from AYUSH doctors.
The department will examine the possibility of linking the 104 health helpline service with the e-Sanjeevani telemedicine platform to strengthen telemedicine services in the state.
The minister also directed officials to explore the use of AI to improve healthcare quality and access and make more effective use of patient data.
State Health Society Executive Director Amit Kumar Pandey, Bihar Medical Services and Infrastructure Corporation Limited (BMSICL) Managing Director Subrat Sen and other officials attended the meeting.
