South Africa Netcare Hospital wins international digital innovation award

SOUTH AFRICA – Netcare, a leading private healthcare provider in South Africa, won the prestigious Digital Innovation Award at the seventh annual International Quality Awards in London. 

The company’s cutting-edge electronic medical records system, CareOn, was selected from 87 entries submitted from 19 countries as the best example of using innovative digital solutions to improve business processes and quality outcomes in quality management.

The judges praised CareOn as a world-class project that exemplifies effective governance, assurance, and project and change management principles. 

Transitioning from a paper-based system to a fully electronic solution that serves hospitals, medical staff, patients, and other stakeholders required significant technical innovation and the development of new skill sets across thousands of end users.

Netcare CEO Richard Friedland emphasized the profound impact CareOn will have on patient safety and engagement, stating, “Healthcare is not just about treating illnesses; it’s about crafting a future where every digital innovation becomes a tool for empowering patients to become equal and active participants in their health and wellbeing.” 

The data-driven and digitally enabled healthcare ecosystem will optimize clinical decision-making and accelerate the treatment process, reducing potential medication errors by up to 60%.

Developed over seven years by 40 dedicated workstreams in South Africa, Germany, and India, CareOn currently has more than 34,000 users in seven provinces. 

The innovative system enables specialists and healthcare teams to view patients’ clinical information, test results, and vital observations remotely and in real-time, using the digital integration of medical equipment and devices.

Gerhard Weiss, director of strategic projects and systems integration at Netcare, expressed gratitude for the award, stating, “This award acknowledges the hard work our teams nationally have put into developing our electronic medical records system and the necessary infrastructure and training to successfully implement this pioneering technology in South Africa on such a large scale.”

Netcare’s digital transformation journey aims to empower patients to participate actively in their health and care. 

Patients now leave Netcare facilities with a summary of their care, allowing healthcare providers to access comprehensive data and provide personalized treatment.

The International Quality Award recognizes Netcare’s commitment to delivering convenient, effective, and person-centered healthcare through digital innovation. 

This achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the entire Netcare team, who have revolutionized the South African healthcare system and set a global standard for digital innovation in the medical.

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