DHA launches final phase of Salama Electronic Medical Record System

The Dubai Health Authority, DHA, launched the third and final phase of the unified electronic system, Salama, at Latifa Hospital, Hatta Hospital, Thalassemia Centre, Dubai Gynaecology and Fertility Centre, and all DHA Medical Fitness Centres.

Salama, which was launched under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, in February 2016, is a DHA-wide project that aims to provide patients and doctors access to medical records through a patient portal and ensure that electronic patient medical records are available across the DHA health facilities.

The first phase was launched in April in Rashid Hospital, Barsha Health Centre, Airport Medical Centre, Dermatology Centre, and Dubai Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Centre, while the second phase was launched at Dubai Hospital, Dubai Diabetes Centre, the Family Gathering Centre and all Primary Health Care Centres. To date, more than 1.4 million DHA patient medical records and more than 112 million transactions have been transferred to the Salama system.

Commenting on the launch, Humaid Al Qutami, Chairman of the Board and Director-General of the DHA, said the authority is keen to implement initiatives and projects that fulfil its goals towards a happier and healthier community, in line with the wise vision of the UAE leadership. He also pointed out that the authority has completed the Salama project in record time, as it was initially expected to be launched in 2018, however, the authority accelerated its pace due to the urgency and importance of having a unified electronic medical record system.

Amani Al Jassmi, Director of Information Technology at the DHA, said Salama allows vital patient information such as the medical history of a patient and his family, the surgeries the patient underwent, lab test results and X-ray reports, to be accessed by DHA doctors at all DHA facilities. This reduces waiting times and costs, and allows patients to communicate with doctors quickly.

Patients are not the only beneficiaries of the system, as it will allow doctors to use pre-customised orders in seconds to provide patients the care they deserve faster. It also helps nurses access patients medical records instantly and from anywhere.

What makes Salama special is that it integrates 25 applications into one interface, enabling easy access, Al Jassmi added.