A NEW integrated radiology system will reduce patient record mismatches by 80 per cent and waiting time by 30 per cent when it rolls out at the Singapore General Hospital later this year.

Currently, the hospital uses two separate systems for patients who undergo scanning, one to capture patient data and results and another for digital images.

This has led to 275 record mismatches every year. While this has not resulted in mis-diagnosis, patients have had to wait hours for records to be traced.

The new system will also allow reports to be generated faster by cutting down on some of the current steps needed with the two systems.

A partnership project between SingHealth and Microsoft, the system is yet another step in Singapore's plans for healthcare data to be integrated.

It will be used by the other SingHealth hospitals within the next two years.