The SmartCare and DISA Lab integration has been activated, aiming to improve the efficiency of lab test processing and result delivery in Zambia.
To give an overview of the current situation, imagine a small clinic in a remote village in Zambia. Dr. A who we will call Anne, the only physician in the clinic, sees patient C who we will call Chanda. Chanda presents with symptoms that suggest a serious infection. Dr. Anne knows that a full blood count (FBC) is essential to confirm the diagnosis and initiate appropriate treatment. However, the clinic lacks an onsite laboratory.
Dr. Anne fills out a lab request form for Chanda and hands it to the clinic’s nurse. The nurse then waits for the weekly transport service to take the paper document to the nearest lab, which is over 50 kilometres away. Upon arrival, the lab technicians manually enter the request into their system, conduct the tests, print the results, and wait for the next available transport to return the results to the village clinic.
This situation exemplifies the broader issue at health facilities: the inefficiency and delay in processing lab tests, which affects patient outcomes and puts additional stress on healthcare providers.
With the SmartCare and DISA Lab integration, developed by the IHM Southern Africa through the CDC and PEPFAR-funded Strengthening Capacity for Health Information Systems Sustainably project in collaboration with the Association of Public Health Laboratories, this cumbersome process is set to change. SmartCare is an electronic health records (EHR) management software used in Zambia in over 1500 health facilities. It houses clinical information collected from patient histories, physical examinations, and other healthcare interactions. SmartCare’s centralized architecture and data stream allow it to seamlessly integrate with other health information management systems. DISA Labs is a laboratory information system (LIS) that enables efficient data management. It facilitates the automation and electronic exchange of laboratory data, improving turnaround times for lab results and enhancing the overall efficiency of healthcare services.
Previously, most health information systems were siloed, meaning they did not share information with one another. This created inefficiencies and impacted the quality and transparency of patient care. Various HIE platforms between different health information systems were developed to counteract these disadvantages, one being the SmartCare and DISA Labs integration. After rigorous end-to-end testing, the integration has been deployed to all SmartCare Plus and SmartCare Pro sites, enabling seamless lab test service delivery between labs and health facilities.
The primary goal of this integration is to enhance clinical outcomes for patients, particularly in controlling epidemics like COVID-19. By automating lab data exchange, clinicians receive results promptly, enabling timely and effective patient management. Additionally, this system supports the monitoring of patients due for follow-up tests, ensuring comprehensive care and adherence to treatment protocols.
Beyond epidemic control, this platform has already been mapped to at least 40 different diagnostic tests, with more on the way, demonstrating its potential to benefit a wide range of health programs. The ultimate aim is to leverage this technology to bring about positive social change, improving health outcomes across the board. This integration represents a significant step towards achieving better healthcare through technology, ensuring that systems are not just functional but transformative in their impact on society.
