DHA enhances health information system to provide clear data

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) is planning to focus more on health information system that will enable the authority to provide clear data of health services to patients. Dr Jamila Hassan Al Sheikh, chief medical information officer at the DHA, said: “All the information then gets sorted out according to different disciplines. International criterions are used to code diseases and health services.” She was speaking at a workshop on “Health Coding Standards” organised by the DHA’s Health Data and Information Analysis Department in collaboration with the Electronic Medical Record Committee. The workshop, held at Latifa Hospital, was attended by physicians, administrators and health information specialists from various DHA sectors. Dr Mohammad Al Redha, director of Health Data and Information Analysis Department, highlighted the features of the codes which are presently used by the DHA, Health Authority Abu Dhabi (Haad) and Ministry of Health (MoH). He also provided information on the Health Information Interoperability Standards (HIIOS) set forth for the Emirate of Dubai. “The authority is planning to enhance the service on par with international coding standards. The DHA has always focused on quality and efficiency by expanding access to high-quality health information and facilitating efficient exchange of information between patients, health service providers, payers and regulators,” explained Dr Al Redha. Michelea Peech, certified coding expert, discussed the pros and cons of each coding standard and the benefits ofstandardising the flow and movement of health data and the quality assurance expected from its use. The main benefit for the DHA is that it will be able to obtain accurate comparable data that can be used to assess quality and performance with proper planning for the future provision of health services in the DHA,” she concluded.  From gulftoday