Coimbatore Medical College Hospital rolls out HMIS 3.0 to simplify patient registration

Coimbatore: Patients visiting government hospitals in Tamil Nadu can now access their records through a single digital system, with Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH) rolling out HMIS 3.0 (Health Management Information System) to provide patients with a lifetime Unique patient ID and reduce repeated registrations, paperwork and long queues.

Under the new system, patients can be issued a lifetime Unique Patient ID linked to their Aadhaar-registered mobile number, reducing the need to create a fresh OP registration at every government hospital. Doctors can also access a patient's available medical reports through the ABHA number, once it has been linked to the patient's records. 

The hospital has introduced multiple registration options so that patients who face difficulties with Aadhaar or OTP-based authentication are not left without access to treatment.

CMCH currently operates six dedicated OP registration and facilitation counters to assist patients with Aadhaar- and ABHA-linked processes, including OTP verification. Those unable to receive an OTP can seek assistance through alternative authentication methods, including biometric or fingerprint-based verification where applicable. 

Patients can also visit the counters with their available details, such as their Aadhaar number, and hospital staff will assist them in completing the registration process.

To manage the increased registration workload, 10 nursing students have been deployed to support patients. The hospital is also encouraging the use of the eNalam application, through which patients can generate their OP registration digitally.

Two additional counters have been set up specifically to print OP tickets generated through the mobile application. 

According to TNIE, "The OP ticket can be generated on the patient's mobile phone in around two minutes, followed by printing in around one additional minute, enabling the patient to proceed to the concerned outpatient department. Once the patient is ready with the required details, the registration can be completed easily. The hospital has planned to place placards across the campus to make aware of public aware about the registration process," said an official.

The hospital is also monitoring the registration process on a daily basis to identify delays and operational problems. Officials are coordinating with registration and outpatient department staff to ensure patients are directed to the appropriate department after completing registration.

The implementation of HMIS 3.0 is therefore intended not only to digitise hospital records but also to make OP registration faster and reduce repeated registrations and queues for patients seeking care at government healthcare facilities.