Health Ministry targets gaps in health system

Due to shortcomings identified in a 2022 assessment, Barbados must press forward with its digital transformation drive in the health sector to better meet the needs of patients.

That was the message from Acting Director of the Planning and Research Unit in the Ministry of Health Stacie Goring, who spoke during a recent virtual public consultation on the digital component of the Health Services Resilience Programme.

Goring said the assessment had found “a fragmented health information system with limited interoperability, limited integration between the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), polyclinics, labs and pharmacies”.

“There was a need for stronger digital health governance and coordination,” she said.

The assessment also identified several gaps, including those relating to policies and standards, along with challenges involving data quality and reporting, infrastructure, and connectivity.

Goring said there was also a need to increase digital health and informatics capacity and strengthen safety, security and data protection.

Despite those shortcomings, she said several digital initiatives were already being implemented across the health system.

“In our primary care setting, our polyclinics operate an electronic medical record system… Pretty much the system supports electronic health records, patient registration, admissions, and appointment scheduling,” she said.

Digital tools are also being used to support public health surveillance, testing and monitoring at the polyclinic level.

At the QEH, Goring said a major modernisation programme includes the implementation of a fully integrated health information system and digitisation of patient and medical records.

The investments also include ICT infrastructure such as servers, computers and tablets, which will allow clinicians to access patient information across departments.

“The transition to electronic medical records is expected to reduce lost files and improve patient management and streamline hospital workflows,” she said.

Goring said work was also underway to strengthen digital systems at the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory, including improved laboratory information management and better integration between laboratory results and patient records.

“At our pharmacies, we are currently doing electronic prescribing and medication tracking, and this digital system allows clinicians to review medication and improve patient safety,” she said.

She said a review of Barbados’ legislation also assessed whether existing laws were adequate to support electronic records.

Goring stressed, however, that the transformation must go beyond technology.

“So moving forward, one of the critical things we want to emphasise is that digital health is more than technology. It’s about governance and management. It’s about people and culture, infrastructure, a set of services and applications, and informed health policy and practice,” she said.