The nation's first hospital digital operation platform, allowing doctors to check a patient's medical records on one system within half a second and carry out simulated surgery, passed examination of Shanghai Science and Technology Commission yesterday.

The system will be launched in the Renji and Huadong hospitals and Shanghai Chest Hospital for pilot practice within two to three years. Then a citywide network connecting more hospitals to share patients' information will be established after the platform is perfected.

The system, called Domain Operating Platform, was developed at Renji Hospital, which started a pilot trial at its cardiac surgery department two months ago. Doctors have treated more than 200 patients using the new system and reported good results.

"Because of technology limitations, hospitals have more than four computerized systems to collect information on different kinds of checkup. Doctors have to visit each system to get one patient's information. This platform integrates all information in one system," said Fan Guanrong, president of Renji Hospital and chief of the developing group.

"Whenever entering a patient's name in the computer, doctors can know all his or her previous medical reports and treatment, instead of checking various paper reports. A comprehensive understanding about a patient's situation can improve accuracy of doctor's diagnosis and further ensure patient's safety."

Meanwhile, the system also allows interns to conduct surgery on a model, which simulates the experience of operating on an actual patient.

The surgeon uses a computerized surgery tool, which links to sensors on the model to simulate the entire surgery process.

"Medical students and interns must get experience by doing a lot of animal experiments and participating in actual surgery. However, animal experiments are costly and human patients refuse to have an intern involved in their surgery," Fan said.

(Shanghai Daily, March 21, 2008)