Nearly a year after completing its electronic medical record (EMR) rollout, EMC Healthcare, a publicly-listed healthcare group in Indonesia, is preparing to enhance its health record management with an AI-powered system.
About EMC Healthcare
EMC Healthcare, operating under the brand name Sarana Meditama Metropolitan, manages eight hospitals that provide both basic and specialized health services.
New AI-Driven EHR System
According to a recent media release, the healthcare provider will implement a “reimagined EHR” system that includes:
- Automated documentation via ambient audio recording
- Prepopulated follow-up actions for clinician review
- AI-assisted coding
InterSystems, the vendor, noted that EMC Healthcare is the first in the Asia-Pacific region to test this generative AI-driven system.
Challenges of Previous EMR Implementation
EMC Healthcare expanded by acquiring hospitals that previously operated on different health information systems, primarily paper-based. This led to several challenges, including:
- Storage issues
- Accessibility limitations
- Risk of loss and damage
- Difficulty in sharing information
- Lack of standardization
- No audit trails
- Limited data analysis capabilities
To overcome these challenges, management proposed a digital transformation centered around a centralized health information system (HIS).
EMR Project Timeline
Jusup Halimi, President Director of EMC Healthcare, shared that the EMR project commenced in November 2021 with the signing of a contract for the TrakCare EMR system. Key milestones included:
- Recruiting an implementation team, including superusers
- Training staff and gathering system requirements
- System configuration and testing
- Going live with the first site in December 2022
- Completing implementation across all eight hospitals by June 2024
During this period, over one million pages of medical records were digitized.
Engaging Specialist Doctors
One of the significant challenges was securing buy-in from approximately 700 specialist doctors. Management worked to convince them, and the superuser team provided ongoing training and support post-implementation.
Adopting AI Technology
EMC Healthcare’s journey continues with the pilot of an AI-driven EMR system. Halimi emphasized the importance of AI, stating, “If we don’t start using it, we will be left behind.” The integration of AI-powered clinical decision support tools aims to:
- Provide predictive analytics for risk stratification
- Offer personalized treatment recommendations
- Send proactive alerts for potential complications
Following the pilot, EMC Healthcare anticipates that AI will significantly enhance operations in clinic consultation rooms, inpatient visits, and emergency departments.
Improving Patient Summaries
Halimi noted that AI can streamline access to comprehensive patient summaries, which traditionally required navigating multiple charts. This consolidation allows for quicker, safer, and more informed decision-making by healthcare providers.
“AI can reduce the documentation burden through features like speech-to-text and smart charting. This allows doctors to maintain eye contact with their patients, enhancing the human experience of care.” – Jusup Halimi, President Director, EMC Healthcare
Data Utilization with AI
Currently, EMC Healthcare employs a data warehouse system to store various types of data, including patient and clinical information. Halimi mentioned that:
- Monthly performance reviews are conducted using analytical tools
- AI will enhance clinical decision support, workflow efficiency, and patient experience
- Medical research will benefit from easier access to EMR data
Halimi stressed that an effective EMR system must feature user-friendly interfaces that integrate seamlessly into daily routines, minimizing disruptions for healthcare professionals.