A digital approach in the rapid response to COVID-19 – Experience of a paediatric institution. (May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cheng, Daryl R; Coote, Andrew; South, Mike
• Is Part Of: International journal of medical informatics. Volume 149(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-05
• Subjects: COVID-19 coronavirus disease -- EMR electronic medical record -- RCH Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne -- DHHS Department of Health and Human Services -- ATSI Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander -- HCW healthcare worker -- PPE personal protective equipment; COVID-19 -- Telehealth -- Remote -- Electronic health record; Medical informatics -- Periodicals; Information science -- Periodicals; Computers -- Periodicals; Medical technology -- Periodicals; Medical Informatics -- Periodicals; Technology, Medical -- Periodicals; Computers; Information science; Medical informatics; Medical technology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 610.285
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2021.104407
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1386-5056

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: COVID-19 has radically changed the delivery of healthcare in Australia. Central to a tertiary paediatric institution's (The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne (RCH) response was a digital health approach comprising a broad suite of informatics and technology solutions including optimising a fully integrated electronic medical record (EMR). Methods: This comprehensive approach spanned all patient care areas and encompassed a broad range of hospital operations. They included patient triage, registration, COVID-19 screening clinic operations, electronic ordering, prescribing and documentation, telehealth, reporting and analytics and research. Discussion: This paper outlines key aspects of our COVID-19 digital health strategy, highlighting the rapid transition to telehealth and the development of a remote "virtual telehealth" strategy for clinicians which proved popular and allowed true "working from home". Conclusion: COVID-19 has inadvertently focussed the spotlight on the utility of digital health for clinical care. The speed and uptake of digital health within this pandemic has been remarkable and unprecedented in both an Australian and global setting. Whilst many of these changes have been beneficial, some may have been rushed or forced with minimal consideration of ongoing governance. Key stakeholders and enablers should be identified for post-pandemic consideration in future digital health implementation and adoption strategies.