Wareed project to enable access to unified database of patient records
UAE, 21 November, 2016 – The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) has renewed and expanded its strategic alignment with Cerner, a global leader in health care technology, for the continued implementation of its enterprise wide health IT system, called the Wareed project. The project is designed to establish a streamlined and accessible electronic health record (EHR) between United Arab Emirates (UAE) health facilities and a consolidated health information database of MOHAP patients through the use of an integrated health care IT system.
Cerner’s solutions and services will support 17 UAE health facilities and 86 primary care clinics, including more than 2,200 beds. The move is an example of MOHAP’s continued commitment to provide health care services that meet or exceed world-class standards for citizens and residents of Dubai and the Northern Emirates.
Each patient will be assigned a corresponding record number to access facilities and consult physicians, a process that will contribute toward the unified national database of patient medical records platform. The presence of this national database will help facilitate patient transfer and provide the exchange of medical record data between public hospitals and private clinics. It will also give providers access to health information, including scheduling, registration, emergency, pharmacy, radiology, surgery and other health data.
His Excellency Awad Al Ketbi, Assistant Undersecretary of the Support Services Sector, MOHAP, shared, “We renewed our agreement with Cerner to create an integrated national platform, enable the smooth exchange of health information, develop a uniform level of care across all Ministry facilities and work toward the improved delivery of health care throughout our state. This platform is part of the UAE government and the Ministry’s vision to advance the quality of operational systems, the development of health facilities and provide easier access to care in accordance with international standards.”
Meanwhile, Mubaraka Ibrahim, Director, Health Information Systems Department, MOHAP, explained, “Cerner will provide the Ministry with the essential solutions and services needed to develop and manage Wareed, including licenses, software and technical support. Cerner will also implement its CareAware® connectivity architecture – a comprehensive system wide approach for device connectivity, alarm management and care team communication – across key facilities. We are also excited to open four smart maternity rooms that will be supported by Cerner’s technology and infrastructure. Through these expanded services and technologies, the Ministry hopes to realize reduced hospital costs and expenses, and also further the development, enhancement and improvement of health care services in the UAE.”
Under the new, long-term agreement, Cerner will work with the Ministry to implement an anesthesia management program and family encoding license system (meds barcoding) for Al Baraha Hospital. These advanced functionalities will support achievement of Stage 6 on the ambulatory Electronic Medical Record Adoption ModelSM by HIMSS Analytics, an international organization that measures the level of clinical IT system adoption.
In addition, MOHAP will have access to Cerner associates who will manage a centralized help desk, learning and adoption services, clinical leadership and reporting and device integration. The opportunity to leverage Cerner’s global presence as the health system’s needs change will give MOHAP greater flexibility of its skills and resources. Cerner will also work with new graduates from universities in the UAE to train the local workforce in clinical informatics.
Michael Pomerance, vice president and managing director, Cerner Middle East and Africa, said, “Through this alignment, we will leverage the talent and resources of both organizations to help tackle the significant health challenges of the next decade and beyond. Cerner’s health care management platform is positioned to help the Ministry realize its vision of providing more proactive care. This next chapter will enable us to better transform the delivery of health and care across the UAE.”
Since 2014, Cerner has provided on-site IT support across all MOHAP facilities for clinical information systems as well as operational and infrastructure management services. Cerner has worked intensely with MOHAP to implement health IT solutions based on the unified Cerner Millennium® EHR, align IT services with industry best practices and establish an award-winning online patient portal, which helps manage populations’ health and connects patients with providers to access their health histories.
For more information about the MoHAP and Cerner relationship, watch this video, “Partnering for a smarter UAE.”