High-tech health task monitoring

By Cai Wenjun  |   2008-6-6  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

AN INFORMATION system connecting local city and district-based health authorities, more than 600 hospitals, disease control and prevention centers, health supervision agencies, ambulances and staff involved in urgent medical tasks began a pilot operation in the city this week.

Shanghai Health Bureau officials said the program would be in full swing in July.

With 98.7 million yuan (US$14.22 million) in investment and two years of construction, the system will monitor the entire process of public health problems such as the outbreak of infectious disease, the bureau said.

The system receives a report on a health issue or accident and follows the process of staff arrival, situation appraisal, epidemiology investigation, disinfection, patient transportation, expert consultation and resource distribution.

According to the bureau, the system consists of five parts: urgent direction, medical treatment, disease prevention, health supervision and recourses management.