The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has announced the adoption of advanced technical solutions, with the aim to unify the process of collecting data content and organize patients’ health care records in the UAE by using single common terminologies within the “Riayati” platform.

This contributes to sustainably consolidating digital systems and integrating encoded clinical information into electronic health records.

Such solutions would help enhance the ministry’s efforts to link health care facilities and strengthen their communication each other, as well as facilitate the exchange of health care information, within the framework of a common model using internationally approved medical terms.

SNOMED CT Is the most comprehensive and precise, multilingual health terminology in the world. SNOMED CT provides a common language for consistent data acquisition, aggregation and sharing among healthcare organizations.

It records, indexes and stores patient information and clinical data in a categorized format that can be retrieved or shared when needed for clinical purposes. SNOMED CT is accepted as a common global language for health terms in over 60 countries.

Unification of medical data documentation forms

Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Zarouni, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Support Services Sector, indicated that embracing these technical solutions is a paradigm shift for the ministry in its quest to unify medical data documentation forms and healthcare data.

It also contributes to improving the effectiveness of the “Riayati” platform, the unified national health file and population health management, especially for health care providers.

Al-Zarouni added that these advanced technology solutions will also facilitate the circulation of clinical terminology and the use of a common language, given that both electronic medical records (EMRs) and health information exchanges (HIE) adopt a common language.

He added: “The “Riayati” platform is considered one of the priority projects that contribute to strengthening and empowering the healthcare sector in the UAE. It is a digital platform featuring updated data of patient records and providing innovative solutions in the automation and management of health information.

This comes in line with MoHAP’s strategy to develop health information systems, apply global standards in the management of infrastructure in health facilities, and develop appropriate technology for the population health management system.

This falls within the government’s efforts to consolidate the UAE’s position among the global E-health pioneers, Al Zarouni noted.

Improving coordination between health facilities

For his part,Ali Al Ajmi, Director of Digital Health, MoHAP said: “The use of SNOMED CT would improve functionality and coordination between health facilities. It will also contribute to enhancing the exchange of organizational data, such as the eClaims Office of the Riayati platform, and the Dubai Health Authority’s ‘Nabidh’ platform, and ‘Malaffi’ platform which links healthcare providers in the public and private sectors in Abu Dhabi.

Al Ajmiadded: “The electronically stored detailed data in this system would help increase access of hospitals, clinics and pharmacies across the UAE to electronic health records (EHRs) and electronic medical records (EMRs).

With comprehensive and statistical data on medical analyses and population health in place, this system will also help hospitals expedite clinical decision-making in terms of patient care and insurance claims processing, in addition to supporting the measurement and monitoring of the quality of care and the use of the resources.”

This reinforced system with clear data and integrated view will help design health care delivery systems, as well as improve clinical, financial and administrative performance of healthcare facilities.

Also, the stored data will contribute to detecting any inappropriate processes, tracking public health and risks, as well as supporting the management of health care services, and facilitating the sharing of data regarding costs and outcomes of treatment options for patients.