Information technology has played an active role in treating SARS in Xiaotangshan Hospital, a new hospital in Beijing devoted solely to SARS patients, according to a leading official with the Beijing Information Working Office.
The information system operated in Xiaotangshan covers six sub-systems including outpatient service, hospitalization, drugs, logistics, administrative offices and consultation and assistance.
With the system, the hospital can input new cases into the database even before the patients' arrival. Medical workers are thus able to assign wards as well as work out therapies and medical care plans for the patients in advance, which can ensure more timely and effective treatment after patients arrive at the hospital.
When the medical and video information about patients' cases are put in the database, doctors can hold consultations on the rapyvia sharing information in the system, which could largely reduce the possibility of cross infection between medical staff, said the official.
According to the official, the information system can also be connected with the city's SARS reporting system, which will favor the collection and classification of case data.
In addition, the system will also provide precious materials and data for scientific research about SARS.
(Xinhua News Agency May 10, 2003)
