Hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City 'sprint' to eliminate paper medical records

In less than two weeks, medical facilities across the country, including Ho Chi Minh City, must complete the implementation of electronic medical records to replace paper medical records.

Patients coming to Gia Dinh People's Hospital for examination do not need to buy a medical examination book, they only need to use their citizen identification card to register for examination - Photo: TRI DUC

According to the Prime Minister 's directive, by September 30, 2025, all hospitals nationwide must deploy electronic medical records to replace paper medical records.

This is a mandatory deadline in the comprehensive digital transformation roadmap of the healthcare system after many "missed appointments". This is aimed at building a smart, modern healthcare system and improving the quality of service to the people.

In Ho Chi Minh City, all hospitals in the area are racing to complete the electronic medical records on schedule. Besides the hospitals that have successfully evaluated and implemented electronic medical records, many hospitals are still rushing to implement them with the motto "no matter how difficult it is, we must do it".

According to Tuoi Tre Online , on the morning of September 17 at the examination department of Gia Dinh People's Hospital (HCMC), patients no longer use paper medical examination books.

Patients coming for examination only need to bring their citizen ID card to register for medical examination, and all information about their medical examination and treatment history is integrated right on VNeID.

Ms. PT (47 years old) is being treated for breast cancer at the hospital. She said that before, when she went to the hospital for a check-up, she often had to buy a medical record book, and when she went for a follow-up check-up, she often had to look for records and documents.

But now she doesn't need to buy a medical record book. After the ultrasound and test results are out, the hospital will automatically send a notification message.

Doctor CKII Huynh Van Binh - Head of General Planning Department, Gia Dinh People's Hospital - said that the hospital has completed the construction of an electronic medical record system that was appraised by the Ministry of Health in December 2024, and published on the Ministry of Health's electronic information portal.

From January 1, 2025, the hospital officially deployed electronic medical records throughout the hospital, ensuring the right roadmap, even earlier than the September 30, 2025 deadline as prescribed.

According to Dr. Binh, the successful implementation of electronic medical records has brought many benefits to patients. Patient data will be stored on the system, easily retrieved when transferring departments or returning for re-examination, helping doctors have full information for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Ho Van Han - Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Traditional Medicine - also said that the institute is making efforts to deploy electronic medical records, although the implementation process still faces many difficulties.

To ensure progress, the unit will send a dispatch to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health requesting to participate in the electronic medical record appraisal council at the hospital on September 24.

At the Ho Chi Minh City Dermatology Hospital, a hospital representative also said that they are implementing the operation of electronic medical records, trying to complete it on schedule according to the direction of the Department of Health.

At Gia Dinh People's Hospital, many patients no longer carry their medical records - Photo: TRI DUC

Ultrasound and X-ray results of patients are sent by text message to smartphones - Photo: TRI DUC

THU HIEN - XUAN MAI - Tri Duc

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/benh-vien-tai-tp-hcm-chay-dua-nuoc-rut-xoa-so-benh-an-giay-20250917104711256.htm