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CURE International Digital Transformation

In a groundbreaking initiative, CURE International has transitioned the clinical records of its eight children's hospitals from traditional paper systems to a modern electronic medical records (EMR) system. This significant shift, made possible through a collaboration with Thoughtworks, aims to revolutionize pediatric healthcare by improving efficiency and patient safety in these critical healthcare settings.

CURE International, a renowned nonprofit organization, is committed to providing no-cost surgical care to children suffering from various treatable disabilities around the world. With hospitals operating in seven countries across Africa and one in the Philippines, the need for an efficient and effective record-keeping system is paramount.

The Challenge of Paper Records

Previously, the clinical work in CURE's hospitals was predominantly conducted on paper. Healthcare professionals manually crafted notes, which were then transported between departments and often re-entered into different systems. This not only consumed valuable time but also increased the risk of errors during data transfer. Each hospital operated with its own unique protocols and specialties, further complicating the management of patient information.

To address these challenges, Thoughtworks, a global leader in technology consultancy, designed and implemented the Bahmni platform—a robust, open-source hospital management system specifically tailored for low-resource environments. This innovative solution is expected to standardize and streamline patient care documentation across CURE's network.

A Collaborative Effort

The digitization project kicked off in 2023, marking the beginning of a close partnership between CURE International and Thoughtworks. The teams worked tirelessly to customize the Bahmni system for the unique needs of each hospital, ensuring that the transition to digital records would not disrupt ongoing patient care.

Kevin de Smidt, Chief Technology Officer at CURE International, emphasized the significance of this transition: "Taking eight hospitals from paper to digital without interrupting care is a monumental challenge. The Thoughtworks team gained insights into our clinicians' workflows, enabling us to implement a system that prioritizes patient care over administrative tasks."

Enhancing Patient Care

To provide a dependable digital framework, the project targeted four key areas of improvement:

1. Safer Clinical Care: The system incorporates high-visibility alerts for allergies, automatic checks for blood cross-matching, supervisor approvals for medication changes, and dosing guidelines tailored to each child's weight.
2. Reduced Administrative Burden: By introducing electronic drug charts and automated nursing tasks, the new system significantly cuts down the time spent on routine processes. For instance, conducting a routine medication round now requires just three clicks instead of seven.
3. Optimizing Operating Rooms: The platform enhances operational efficiency by tracking real-time surgical readiness for patients and suggesting alternative candidates for surgeries that may be delayed.
4. Reliable Operations: The upgraded platform ensures deployment across the hospitals happens swiftly while minimizing disruptions to patient services.

Future of Pediatric Care

Steve Obana, Senior Vice President at Thoughtworks, remarked on the importance of resilience in healthcare operations: "Executing a multi-region clinical rollout across eight global hospitals demands absolute operational stability. Any downtime is unacceptable in these environments. Our rigorous engineering approach guarantees that CURE's medical teams can rely entirely on their systems—enabling them to focus on the life-changing work they perform."

With ongoing support from Thoughtworks for another year, CURE International is not only enhancing the stability but also upgrading its platform across its hospitals. Features developed specifically for CURE, such as inpatient monitoring and a digital medication administration record, are also contributing back to the core Bahmni project. This open-source approach ensures that future hospitals can benefit from a refined and effective EMR system right from the start.

By intertwining innovative technology with compassionate care, Thoughtworks is making significant strides towards providing reliable tools and resources for healthcare professionals, ultimately promoting safer, more effective treatments for children needing critical medical care. Through this partnership, both organizations are reaffirming their commitment to improving healthcare outcomes globally.

For additional resources, visit the CURE International client story or learn more about Bahmni. Explore how Thoughtworks is transforming healthcare and managed services through their cutting-edge technology initiatives.