Even though no new infection in the community has been detected in Vietnam in the past more than two weeks, hospitals in Hanoi have still strengthened information technology (IT) technology in medical examination and treatment with a view of avoiding contact among patients and curbing the risk of infection, Hanoimoi reported.

Tran Quy Tuong, director of the Department of Information Technology under the Ministry of Health, said that telemedicine platform has been applied extensively in Hanoi-based hospitals for contactless treatment.

People disinfect their hands before entering Viet Duc Friendship Hospital. Photo: HNM

Telemedicine is based on videoconferencing technology for remote medical examination and treatment, which helps many patients in far-flung areas be treated promptly and reduces the risk of infection, especially in the fight against Covid-19, Tuong added.

In the current anti-epidemic phase of Covid-19, the telemedicine platform helps reduce saturation in hospitals, contributing to reducing the risk of cross infection.

Information technology has been useful in helping patients book medical appointments online, avoiding large gatherings in hospitals.

Specifically, all patients of Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital have booked visits online by phone number 1900.6922, or via the website: http://datkham.benhvienphusanhanoi.vn, or the hospital’s Facebook fanpage “the Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital”.

Nguyen Duy Anh, the hospital's director, said that obstetricians would refuse to attend patients without prior appointment.

Besides, the hospital also enhances the application of information technology in remote consultation and ensure safe distance among patients in inpatient treatment areas.

National Lung Hospital has also launched an online medical examination to ensure the safety of patients and medical staff during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The access to the database of thousands of patients has assisted doctors in giving advice, and prescribing medicines for patients.

Dr. Nguyen Viet Nhung, the hospital’s director, said that the hospital's physicians can quickly perform remote medical examination as the hospital has relatively good information technology infrastructure and patients’ records have been digitized.