Hospital CEO targets paperless hospital ‘in three years’

The newly appointed chief executive of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) has unveiled ambitious plans to transform the public hospital into one of the Caribbean’s most technologically advanced healthcare facilities by implementing a comprehensive digital record system within the next two to three years.

As the QEH approaches its 60th anniversary as the island’s lone general hospital, Neil Clark, who took up his post on April 2, said transitioning the hospital to a paperless environment is a key priority that will bring significant benefits for patient care and operational efficiency.

“We’ve had a number of innovations in terms of record-keeping and networking,” he told Barbados TODAY. “Yes, we’ve faced challenges that come with technology, such as security issues, but we are committed to advancing our technological capabilities.”

Currently, QEH relies heavily on paper records, which Clark described as problematic.

“There’s too much paper. Notes for patients are still being lost,” he said. “We need to reach the stage where, as we see on TV, doctors use iPads or Surface tablets for triaging and patient care.”

The chief executive said he was determined to eliminate paper usage at the tertiary care facility: “Smart hospitals have no paper. When I came here to the QEH the printer that was here, I got rid of it… and it’s gone. I don’t need paper; I’m paperless. I’m challenging the board to go paperless. Why do we need to print out minutes of meetings?”

The paperless shift involves implementing a comprehensive health information system to serve as a digital backbone for all patient records. “We’re already in the process of moving towards procuring a health information system (HIS). This system will eliminate the need for paper records. Existing paper records can be scanned into the system over time, eliminating storage issues,” Clark explained.

He added that human resources, administration and procurement were also transitioning to digital systems to create a paperless environment across QEH’s operations. However, Clark acknowledged the challenges of such a transformation, noting: “For many people, losing the printer, notepads, and paper is a real challenge. I’ve seen this happen in two other organisations. But once people adjust, they find managing information on computers much easier.”

Among the touted benefits, Clark said digital records enable instant data sharing and faster information retrieval to reduce waiting times, such as providing emergency departments with immediate access to test results.

QEH plans to launch a tender process this year to select an HIS provider. “We’ll start the implementation process once the provider is selected. Moving from paper to electronic records will have its challenges, but it’s a challenge we’re ready to take on,” Clark said, highlighting the need for change management to help staff understand the advantages of digitisation over traditional paper systems.

“I am really keen that we move towards being a paperless hospital. This is not just about efficiency but also about enhancing patient care and ensuring the smooth operation of hospital services.”