Te Whatu Ora is actively searching for participants to trial AI-supported clinical coding systems for hospital entrants. These experimental projects aim to assess if AI can enhance the precision and efficiency of healthcare delivery by cutting down the time spent on clinical coding, which is predominantly a manual task.
Efficiency in Hospital Data Processing
In New Zealand, hospitals are mandated to categorize various health-related data and submit these to the National Minimum Dataset within a tight timeframe following patient discharge. The envisioned AI assistance could revolutionize this data handling process.
Advancements in Immunization Tracking
In its endeavor to achieve full vaccination for 95% of its children, New Zealand’s health authorities have revealed two novel digital resources aimed at streamlining vaccination management. My Health Record, redeveloped from the former My Covid Record platform, now offers individuals the ability to review their vaccination history. This feature sets the stage for the addition of other health data, such as lab results, in the near future.
Supplementing this, the expanded Aotearoa Immunisation Register (AIR) assists health professionals to consult immunization histories and recognize unmet vaccination needs. The system also aids in identifying communities that may benefit from targeted vaccination efforts.
In light of criticisms aimed at the recent Acacia patient health record system, NT Health is contemplating a temporary switch back to the previous system for emergency departments at two of its busiest hospitals. While interim improvements to the Acacia system are in discussion, the system might still be retained in other hospital departments and continue its operation in Katherine and Gove Hospitals where it was initially launched in 2022.
