How digital health lockers are revolutionizing healthcare records in India?

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) aims to digitise the Indian healthcare landscape, providing citizens with a unique identifier called the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA). Through this account, individuals can securely store and share their medical information with doctors, hospitals, and laboratories, reminiscent of transferring money using a banking app. This user-centric approach puts complete control in the hands of patients, ensuring that no data is shared without their explicit consent. Ayushman Bharat’s Digital Mission attempts to take away the administrative stress of healthcare.

Additionally, the digital health locker feature within Driefcase consolidates scattered medical records, eliminating the hassle of physically searching for documents. It provides a secure environment where users can aggregate and access their health information in one place, ensuring portability and convenience regardless of geographical location.

 

Organizing Healthcare: The Role of ABHA

Recognizing the pivotal role of a patient’s medical history in effective healthcare provision, ABHA seeks to revolutionize the healthcare landscape by organizing health records. The goal is to make pertinent information readily accessible to medical professionals, potentially enhancing the efficiency of medical treatments, reducing redundant tests, and fostering a more streamlined healthcare system for the benefit of all citizens.

Components of ABHA: Number and Address

The ABHA card comprises two main components: the ABHA number and the ABHA address. While each citizen can have only one ABHA number linked to their Aadhar card, they have the flexibility to link multiple ABHA addresses to a single ABHA number and Aadhar. This innovative approach empowers patients to maintain the privacy of their health records under specific ABHA addresses.

Flexibility and Control

Citizens also have the flexibility to discontinue their ABHA card and create a new ABHA number, linked subsequently to Aadhar. However, it’s crucial to note that only one Aadhar-linked ABHA number can be active at any given time. Nevertheless, citizens can obtain additional ABHA numbers using documents such as a driving license or voter card, providing them with a level of control over their health data.

ABHA and Health Records: Connecting the Dots

In the context of health records, patient data generated at hospitals often remains within the confines of the respective institution. ABHA addresses act as unique identifiers across all hospitals in India, providing a bridge between disparate systems. The data, formatted in prescribed standards like HL7 FHIR, is securely indexed in the consent manager of the National Health Authority (NHA) gateway. This registry, devoid of actual patient data, contains only links to patient records.

When a patient requests or consents for another hospital to access their health records, a secure digital copy of the patient’s records is transferred. This ensures authorized and seamless access to health information across different healthcare facilities in the country.

Personal Health Record Apps and Beyond: Enhancing Healthcare Accessibility

In the era of digitization, citizens now have access to Personal Health Record (PHR) apps, such as ai.m healthy Health Tracking App and m.Power Health App, which offer dynamic features and innovative solutions to empower individuals in managing their health effectively.

ai.m healthy Health Tracking App: Achieve Your Health Goals

ai.m healthy Health Tracking App stands out with its array of features designed to help users achieve their health objectives. From tracking vital health metrics to providing personalized health insights, this app offers a comprehensive platform for individuals to monitor and improve their well-being. With seamless integration with Digilocker, users can securely store their health records and grant access to authorized individuals as needed. Additionally, the app allows users to grant consent for data access, enabling them to maintain control over their personal health information.

m.Power Health App: A Digital Platform for Doctors

m.Power Health App takes healthcare management to the next level by providing a holistic digital platform for doctors. Built on scientific principles, this app offers a wide range of functionalities, including evaluation, screening, investigations, clinical management, lifestyle advice, and follow-up scheduling for patients with conditions like hypertension and diabetes. Through its intuitive interface and advanced features, m.Power Health App empowers healthcare professionals to deliver personalized and effective care to their patients, thereby improving health outcomes and enhancing patient satisfaction. 

In conclusion, Personal Health Record apps like ai.m healthy Health Tracking App and m.Power Health App are revolutionizing healthcare accessibility by offering innovative solutions for individuals and healthcare professionals alike. With their dynamic features and user-friendly interfaces, these apps empower users to take control of their health and optimize their healthcare experience.