SCB Medical College Struggles to Digitize Patient Records
Cuttack: The Medical Record
Department at SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCB MCH) remains in disarray as
it awaits digitization—a promise made three years ago. The department houses
thousands of patient records, some dating back over four decades, in a largely
unorganized manner. Despite the pressing need for modernizing this crucial
aspect of healthcare management, the process has yet to commence.
The department’s vast
collection of paper records includes documents that have been carelessly
stacked, creating significant challenges in retrieving essential information.
Historical mismanagement has compounded the issue. The 1999 Super Cyclone
inflicted severe damage, destroying numerous critical documents. More recently,
a fire in April 2019 further devastated the archive, turning many invaluable
records to ashes, reports the Daily.
The current state of the
department not only hampers the hospital’s operational efficiency but also
causes frustration for patients, police, and hospital staff who struggle to
locate essential medical histories amidst the voluminous paperwork.
Recognizing the dire need
for improvement, SCB MCH authorities submitted a formal request to the Health
and Family Welfare Department in September 2021, advocating for the
digitization of the medical record department. The aim was to streamline access
to patient records, enhance data security, and improve overall service
delivery. However, despite the submission, no action has been taken to date.
A retired hospital staff told The New Indian Express, “It
is a matter of concern that the state government is not initiating any steps to
digitize the record room of SCB MCH even till now. Once digitized, it will be
helpful in preserving important documents without any hassle and save a lot of
time. Besides, they can be accessed with just a click.”
Health and Family Welfare
Minister Mukesh Mahaling recently visited SCB Medical College and underscored
the importance of transitioning to a paperless system. He highlighted the need
for online accessibility of patient records, which would save time and ensure the safety and longevity of crucial health data.
The continued reliance on
physical records not only impedes efficient healthcare delivery but also poses
significant risks, as evidenced by past disasters. With the current
technological advancements and the growing need for quick and reliable access
to patient information, digitizing medical records is a critical step forward.
The call for action from Minister Mahaling is a hopeful sign, but the
implementation of such a system remains crucial.
