•Initiative to Benefit 265 Public Schools

•360 Nurses Undergoing Training to Ensure Effective Implementation

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 14 May, 2013 - The Ambulatory Healthcare Services (AHS), a part of the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), has completed the first phase of migration of health data to electronic systems in public schools across Abu Dhabi and the Central Region.

As part of the migration, AHS has installed the CERNER electronic system, a unified suite of digital solutions that help streamline processes, reduce administrative costs and enhance patients' safety. The new system meets the legal, regulatory and accreditation requirements of Abu Dhabi. Currently, over 360 nurses providing health services in schools are undergoing extensive training for ensuring optimal results.

AHS commenced the installation and migration of the system in September 2012, which is eventually set to benefit 265 public schools. To date, the execution has been successfully completed in 123 schools across Abu Dhabi and in September 2013 the implementation of the system will commence in Al Ain and the Western Region.

Complementing AHS' efforts to enhance the provision of healthcare service to students through achieving 'one patient, one comprehensive health record', the new method of data recording will reduce the time spent on information gathering. It will also cut down paper oriented manual processes for school nurses such as filling out close to 26 forms for each student. The system will ease the generation of statistical reports, secure and back-up information, create chronic disease alerts, allow for early intervention, and validate the role of school nurses in facilitating communications with SEHA facilities. Transferring data to an electronic format will additionally assist in the compilation of demographic data.

Mohamed Hawas Al Sadeed, Acting Chief Executive Officer, AHS, said: "The implementation of the electronic data system in school health services will bring us up-to-date with the advanced technology systems in the AHS-SEHA network. Bringing the students' data online will offer easy access to the child's healthcare records from birth including vaccination dates and vital medical information that is crucial to providing timely and effective healthcare services. It will additionally enable seamless transfer of data across schools and clinics, raising the efficiency of our healthcare services."

Dr Najah, School Health Service Director, AHS said: "As a healthcare service provider for public schools, we realize the importance of the school nurse and her role in maintaining the medical records of students. The information proves crucial while providing first aid for accidents, chronic diseases management and during surveillance for communicable diseases. We are delighted that the nurses have welcomed the initiative that will reduce their time spent in manually filling the same data on various forms."

The implementation of the electronic system will further simplify the process of transferring data from school to school in the event of a student's transfer. It will also ensure continuity in service provision should the student choose to use AHS-SEHA clinics even after graduating from school. 

-Ends-

About Ambulatory Healthcare Services - SEHA
Ambulatory Healthcare Services (AHS) is a Health System Facility of the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA). It was formed to facilitate and furnish a unique combination of the diagnostic and treatment services of a hospital with the personalized care that a healthcare center offers. At present, AHS as an organization includes the following facilities and subsidiaries:

  • Ambulatory Care Centers

  • Disease Prevention & Screening Centers

  • School Health Services

  • Mobile Clinic Solutions

For more information, please visit our website: www.ahs.ae

About the SEHA Health System and the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC (SEHA)
SEHA is health in Arabic.  The Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC- whose marketing identity is SEHA - is an independent, public joint stock company created to develop the curative activities of the public healthcare system in Abu Dhabi. The company owns and operates all the public hospitals and clinics of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi which together make up the SEHA HealthSystem.  SEHA is committed to continuous improvement of customer care to recognized international standards and providing our customers and communities served world-class healthcare.  SEHA has partnered with internationally recognized hospital managers to achieve these goals.  These include Johns Hopkins Medicine International, Cleveland Clinic Foundation and Fresenius Medical Care.  SEHA owns and operates 12 hospitals with 2,644 beds, more than 60 ambulatory care, family care and urgent care centers and 2 blood banks.  SEHA is one of the largest integrated healthcare providers in the Middle East with more than 17,000 doctors, nurses, ancillary care and administrative personnel in its employ.  Visit our website at www.seha.ae.

© Press Release 2013