New Delhi, Aug 30: Indian Navy became the first of the four armed forces to launch a comprehensive health care information management system (HIMS), an enterprise-wide application that covers all operational and management aspects of naval hospitals.

An Indian Navy release said that the application automates all patient processes from admission to discharge, and maintains complete medical records in a digital format, thus removing the need for hard copies.

Its interface with medical equipment used in the laboratories and intensive care units will enable direct online observations. The solutions have also been integrated with the radiology pictorial archival communication system to view images online or by the patient's bedside.

By enabling quick access to the patient records, HIMS will aid speedy diagnosis and reduce the waiting period of patients.

Apart from automating core clinical processes, the system also helps in managing administrative activities at the hospital.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Nirmal Verma said that in addition to the induction of new ships and equipment, the Navy needed to further streamline processes and harness technologies.

Citing HIMS as an example, he said: "It is important for us to use the immense potential of information technology to improve organisational efficiency and the well being of our personnel."

He added, "I consider HIMS not only important as a means of reducing the manual workload on the hospitals, but also as a means to cut down on outdated processes and aligning them with the technological advances in the outside world."

From the patient’s perspective, Admiral Verma said that the use of the application would be "a game changer."

"Availability of records from womb to tomb and their accessibility over the naval communication backbone would significantly aid diagnosis and treatment," he added.

Director General Medical Services (Navy), Surgeon Vice-Admiral A.C. Anand said that HIMS was developed through close cooperation of all stake-holders thus ensuring that it would transform the user experience of all patients.