Shared Health Record (EN)

Hospital Management System

Hospital Management System/Hospital Automation System  in Bangladesh
OpenMRS+ Implementation in Bangladesh

Bangladesh uses an open-source software/solution named OpenMRS for public facilities. After a little bit of customization, we called it OpenMRS+. Most of the Private Sector has no EMR or Hospital management system. Very few corporate and NGO hospitals are using their solutions.

 

Introduction to OpenMRS

OpenMRS is an open-source electronic medical record (EMR) system designed to support healthcare delivery in resource-constrained environments. Established in 2004, it offers a modular architecture that allows for extensive customization to meet the specific needs of different healthcare systems.

In Bangladesh, OpenMRS has been tailored into a customized version called OpenMRS+, which integrates OpenELIS (a laboratory information system) and an inventory module with the OpenMRS Bahmni version. This comprehensive system is helping to transform hospital management and service delivery in public hospitals.

Overview of OpenMRS+ in Bangladesh

 

Bangladesh began implementing OpenMRS in 2016 as part of its hospital automation initiative. Today, the system is operational in 100 public hospitals, encompassing primary, secondary, tertiary, and super-specialized care facilities.

Deployment Modalities:

  1. On-Premise Server:
    • The majority of hospitals (97 out of 100) host OpenMRS+ on their own servers. This setup is tailored to address the challenges of unstable internet connectivity in certain regions, ensuring uninterrupted hospital services.
  2. Online Centralized Solution:
    • In three hospitals, OpenMRS+ has been deployed as an online central solution to test its efficiency and feasibility in managing multiple facilities. This centralized modality allows for a consolidated data management system.

Key Features of OpenMRS+ in Bangladesh

  1. Modules Implemented:
    • Inpatient
    • Outpatient
    • Emergency
    • Ticket Counter
    • Billing
    • Pharmacy
    • Laboratory (via OpenELIS integration)
    • Inventory Management
  2. Infrastructure:
    • Hospitals with on-premise servers operate OpenMRS+ locally, ensuring resilience to internet disruptions.
    • Internal connectivity is managed via Local Area Networks (LAN) within hospital premises.
    • The centralized online solution facilitates inter-facility data sharing and is being tested for scalability.
  3. Hardware Integration:
    • Barcode scanners and printers enhance operational accuracy.
    • LED displays in front of doctor chambers streamline queue management.

Advantages of Implementing a Hospital Automation System

 

  1. Improved Patient Care:
    • Real-time access to patient data for better decision-making.
    • Automation minimizes human errors in diagnostics and record-keeping.
  2. Operational Efficiency:
    • Streamlined workflows across inpatient, outpatient, emergency, and other departments.
    • Integration of billing and inventory modules ensures optimal resource utilization.
  3. Data-Driven Administration:
    • Digital records simplify data retrieval and updates.
    • Centralized data facilitates analytics and evidence-based decision-making.
  4. Resilience to Connectivity Challenges:
    • On-premise servers ensure continuity of operations in areas with unstable internet.
    • Centralized solutions are being tested to determine feasibility in connected regions.
  5. Cost-Effectiveness:
    • Barcode integration eliminates manual tracking costs.
    • Standardized processes reduce operational inefficiencies.
  6. Patient Satisfaction:
    • Reduced waiting times through efficient queue management.
    • Transparent billing and quicker lab results foster trust.

FAQs: Why Deploy On-Premise Servers for Each Hospital?

 

A common question is whether deploying a dedicated server in each hospital is a waste of money compared to a centralized online solution. The answer lies in the challenges of internet connectivity:

  • Unstable Internet in Certain Areas:
    Many regions in Bangladesh lack reliable internet connections. In such areas, a centralized online system could cause interruptions in critical hospital services during connectivity issues. On-premise servers ensure uninterrupted operations regardless of external internet reliability.
  • Gradual Dependence on Automation:
    As hospitals increasingly rely on automated systems for managing patient care and administrative tasks, any disruption in connectivity could significantly hamper services. On-premise servers provide a robust solution to this challenge.

However, the online centralized solution is being tested in three hospitals to assess its efficiency, feasibility, and scalability for managing multiple facilities. This dual-modality approach ensures that the system adapts to the country’s diverse infrastructure conditions.

Conclusion

The implementation of OpenMRS+ in Bangladesh represents a significant step toward modernizing healthcare delivery. With 100 public hospitals already leveraging the system across primary, secondary, tertiary, and super-specialized care, the initiative demonstrates how tailored technological solutions can address infrastructure challenges while improving healthcare outcomes.

The dual deployment modalities—on-premise servers and centralized online solutions—reflect a pragmatic approach to overcoming connectivity limitations while exploring scalable models for the future. This initiative positions Bangladesh as a leader in leveraging digital technology to enhance public healthcare.

💬