Innovation and technology are shaping the way we approach the future of healthcare services, said Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar during the launching of the new Brunei Darussalam National Heart Failure Guidelines 2023 at the 10th Annual Scientific Meet Gala Dinner of Cardiac Society Brunei Darussalam at Radisson Hotel Brunei yesterday.
Such initiatives and innovation are highlighted on the ministry’s approach to public healthcare through the BruHealth mobile app. The minister said that since its introduction in May 2020 as a virtual platform to control the spread of COVID-19 in Brunei, BruHealth has expanded its features which include an integration with Brunei Healthcare Information and Management Systems (Bru-HIMS), Brunei’s e-health records system, as well as new features to further promote healthy living among the Brunei population.
“Firstly, ‘BN on the Move 2023’ is aimed at fostering physical activity and the well-being of the community by setting and incentivising the public to reach individual daily step targets. With this innovative approach, individuals are inspired to make exercise a regular part of their routine while experiencing the solidarity of group participation. Regular exercise, like daily brisk walks, contributes to better heart health, quality sleep, and improved mental well-being, ultimately reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases,” he said.
Another initiative is the ‘Health Index and Risk Assessment’, which encourages the public to assess their health status and undergo health screenings for the early detection of behavioural risk factors and non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular conditions.
“Early detection through health screenings facilitates timely treatment and helps prevent related complications,” said the minister.
The minister shared that the BruHealth cardiovascular risk screening feature utilises various health-related data points, including age, gender, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and lifestyle factors to assess an individual’s risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
By providing input on this information and undergoing a short evaluation, users can receive an estimation of their cardiovascular risk profile and take proactive steps towards prevention. Early detection of cardiovascular risk factors allows for timely interventions, such as lifestyle changes and medical treatments, to curb the progression of cardiovascular diseases.
Furthermore, the BruHealth risk screening feature also facilitates the collection of anonymised data at a larger scale. The aggregated data can contribute to valuable research initiatives aimed at improving the understanding of cardiovascular diseases, refining risk assessment models, and developing more effective prevention strategies.
Another key element of the impact of transformation due to technology is the Brunei Darussalam Healthcare Information and Management System (Bru-HIMS).
The minister explained that Bru-HIMS is an electronic health record system based on the policy of one patient, one record which was first implemented in 2012 as part of the efforts to improve patient care and streamline workflows for medical professionals.
“Under Bru-HIMS 2.0, the organisation of patient data will be revamped, ensuring electronic medical records to be accessible by both government-run and private healthcare facilities. Bru-HIMS 2.0 will see closer integration with the BruHealth app, allowing patients to book appointments, register and pay for services online,” shared the minister.
Another key improvement is a feature called ‘Enhanced Clinical Decision Support’ providing doctors with clinical treatment suggestions, patient safety alerts and medicines inventory in real-time.
Bru-HIMS 2.0 will incorporate the Intelligent Care Plans and a Clinical Pathway Recommendation system which would assist doctors in evaluating health risks, anticipating diagnoses, develop customised care plans, as well as collect structured data to help inform healthcare policy.
On the other hand, the use of Picture Archiving and Communication System, or PACS has also help evolve patient care. In the realm of medical imaging, PACS has been instrumental in streamlining the diagnosis, management, and treatment of diseases, providing healthcare professionals with a powerful tool to improve patient outcomes.
The minister also shared Brunei’s future advancement that is fundamentally changing the landscape of cardiovascular care in particular, that is the integration of 5G technology into ambulances.
“This development represents a significant leap forward in our ability to provide rapid and effective emergency care to individuals experiencing cardiovascular emergencies. In the context of emergency cardiac situations, time is of the essence,” said the minister.
“In conclusion, BruHealth and Bru-HIMS 2.0 represent a paradigm shift in Brunei’s healthcare, whereas advanced use of PACS and 5G technology work together to provide faster, more accurate, and more accessible healthcare services. It is all about leveraging technology to improve patient care and save lives.
As healthcare systems across the world prepare to face future challenges, it is necessary for the cardiology community to continue innovating and to work collaboratively across the full spectrum of cardiac care,” said the minister. – Adib Noor
