What health information systems in Poland consist of

Data on all diagnostics and operations performed are entered into the healthcare information system, so that the next time the patient visits the clinic, his treatment is simplified by raising the available information. The Polish healthcare system is actively moving to an electronic database in order to get rid of paper catalogs and keep up with the times.

Unified State Health Information System

The unified state health information system operates in Poland on the basis of the National Health Fund (NFZ). The organization ensures the creation of an application into which data is pulled from the information systems of individual medical institutions in Poland.

Each Polish hospital or medical center creates its own information system on its own. They can purchase software or contact third-party IT specialists. The NFZ department offers a unified system of diagnoses and codes for them, which are used by medical institutions for ease of recording.

As a result, a common database is formed, according to which doctors have information about each patient, the diseases they have suffered. If a person changes their place of residence and clinic, then it will not be a problem to retrieve data from the electronic registry for their previous place of treatment. This makes the treatment more effective and minimizes the time spent on primary diagnosis.

Architecture and infrastructure of the Uniform State Health Information System in Poland

Architecture and infrastructure of the Uniform State Health Information System in Poland includes the following structures:

1. SMK – electronic medical education system;
2. CSIOZ is the health information systems center.

Every Polish doctor who plans to practice medicine in Poland must register in the SMK system. This directory includes data about the education received by a specialist, exams passed, advanced training courses and other trainings completed.

The SMK system becomes mandatory for the doctor throughout his career in the profession. From there, he can get information about ongoing courses and seminars that will help him improve his professional knowledge.

On August 1, 2000, the CSIOZ system began its work. It simplifies the work not only for medical personnel, but also for patients who, through this system, have access to the following services:

• receiving an electronic prescription;
• appointment to the clinic online;
• receiving electronic versions of sick leaves, medical documents and extracts.

Regional GIS requirements

Regional health information systems should provide equal access to databases for every doctor, health worker and patient. Any person should be able to electronically sign up for a visit to the doctor, issue a prescription or sick leave.

The database must be kept confidential. This means that medical information about the diagnoses and medical histories of patients must be protected from unauthorized access. Physicians must respect medical confidentiality. Therefore, IT specialists are constantly working to improve the protection of electronic databases in order to prevent information leakage.

Data exchange with private clinics

Private medical facilities can also become part of the general medical database on a par with public clinics. The electronic system allows you to quickly exchange information between medical centers of any form of ownership in a secure mode.

The National Health Foundation is working to ensure that electronic exchange systems are convenient, simple and safe. Therefore, there is constant interaction with IT specialists who offer updates in accordance with technological standards.

Medical information system for a private clinic

A private medical center can choose from various types of health information systems. If you wish, you can give preference to the state standard systems CSIOZ and SMK, or create your own database. The latter option will be more difficult to implement, because you need to hire IT specialists and set specific tasks for them.

However, technology does not stand still, so many private companies are developing cloud data platforms, CRM systems that simplify cataloging and access to information. The most important thing is that the selected and purchased information system should be convenient and provide equal access for each clinic employee.

A medical information system for a private clinic should not violate the standard principles of data confidentiality, a high level of security and patient access to basic services. Therefore, such a system should be carefully thought out by programmers and only then released for general use.

It is advisable not to use information systems that are raw and are at the beta testing stage. Such a system must meet the following requirements:

• access to it from anywhere in the world and any electronic device;
• presence of detailed and structured information;
• the ability to easily manage data for medical staff and doctors;
• Convenience of designing services for patients;
• high level of protection against data leakage, two-factor identification system (login not only with a password, but also with biometric data);
• Storing data in the “cloud” to prevent loss of information during fires, floods, earthquakes and other unforeseen situations.

Polish healthcare information systems fit into the global concept of transition to electronic data recording. The leading countries of the world are actively moving away from paper catalogs and documentation, which are difficult to store and even more difficult to use. Electronic databases are the future because they are convenient, secure and accessible.