Glass Hospital

Darkhan city, Mongolia

Background&Urban Challenges

Darkhan-Uul Province has 103.002 people and 80.7 percent of its total population lives in the capital city of Darkhan. Only 2 public hospitals deliver health care to 70 percent of the whole population, and more than 700 people are treated and diagnosed every day, which already overreaches the hospital's capacity by 2 times.

Within hospitals, the situation was similarly bleak. Emergency service wait hours were up to 30 minutes, MRI result waiting times were up to 3 days, 28 percent of patients were left out of service daily and repeatedly and the hospitalization queue was up to 3-5 days.

These numbers were especially high in winter and spring, leading to unequal opportunity and unqualified care. Because of these factors, public satisfaction for healthcare was the lowest among all public services. In order to make the public health care system more efficient, faster, more equitable and more qualified, we brought the innovative "Glass Hospital" project to the field.

Our goal is to create a 3E system in healthcare on the basis of e-service and innovative management. The following values are highlighted:

• Equal access

• Equal opportunity

• Efficient care

Objectives

To reach our 3E system, we have determined the two objectives below:

• Introduce electronic registration, information and control software into the whole unit of hospitals; improve the management of healthcare system; increase the transparency of service and decrease the wait hours of patients.

• Introduce the electronic registration, information and control software into emergency service; ensure the transparency of service and decrease the wait hours of emergency patients.

Total Project Funding: US $25,180

Solution Descriptions

Implementation Process:

Under the project implementation, 32 control CCTVs, 37 LCD TVs, 28 printers, 2 IP Phones, 6 notebooks, a WiFi router, a GPS system, registration software and other related devices were installed throughout the hospital.

• Queue ticket machine: Receptionists stand near the entry door and guide patients to ticket machine while they ask what service they need. All services are delivered by queue number.

• Electronic registration software: Receptionists can register patients' information into the software and share it with doctors.

• Electronic LCD board: Each inspection room has an electronic board outside, which provides information about the doctor, wait time and number of patients.

• WiFi space: The maternal and emergency rooms have a WiFi connection that allows mothers and their newborn babies to make video calls back home.

• GPS system in ambulance cars: Emergency wait hours decreased by 2 times after installation.

• Call center: A call center provides real-time information to callers to reserve appointments.

• Control CCTV: The CCTV system helps patients monitor services. For the hospital, it helps control workers' time management.

• Wireless computer: Computers are used in emergency and maternal rooms to allow mothers to connect with their families online.

• Printer and copy machine: The printing devices print out MRI results and other related information.

Result & Reflections

The project implemented and integrated a variety of smart devices into hospital operations as described in the Solution Description. 32 control CCTVs, 37 LCD TVs, 28 printers, 2 IP Phones, 6 notebooks, a WiFi router, a GPS system, registration software and other related devices were installed throughout the hospital.

After the project implementation, emergency wait hours decreased by 2 times, inspection wait hours dropped by 7.9 percent and patient satisfaction increased by 30.7 percent.

The city is currently tackling the challenge of improving the building capacity and increasing number of workers. Additionally, it is aiming to connect hospitals in remote areas and family clinics to central hospitals.