Inter-regional association for apoplexy using the internet

Abstract

In June 2010, Kochi prefectural Hata Kenmin hospital introduced a regional network system called the“Shimanto network”which utilizes information technology to share electronic medical records among in-network facilities. This network allows the existing“Liaison Critical pathways for apoplexy”and“Hospital-clinic liaison Critical pathways for apoplexy”that have been used in the Hata area of Kochi prefecture to be shared online. In the past year, the network has been operating smoothly, accounting for 247 cases using“Liaison Critical pathways for apoplexy”.“Hospital-clinic liaison Critical pathways for apoplexy”were applied to 148 cases and 227 pathway sheets were issued during one year of operation.

Now that problems related to paper-based pathway sheets have been resolved, critical pathways are readily available for a variety of professionals to view. Supplementary information can be added, visibility and readability of the sheets have improved, and real time information sharing for all participants is now possible.

If a patient at our hospital must be moved to a different medical facility, the patient's electronic medical record and network pathway sheets are immediately made available to the staff of the new facility, thus enabling more extensive information sharing.