Just what the doctor ordered: easier access to medical records

China is on track to have medical examination results available and readable to medical professionals nationwide, something that will make life easier and cut costs for patients, a national legislator said on Wednesday.

Zhang Junjie, a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress and a cardiologist, said that he used to see patients carrying large bags of X-ray films with them around hospitals.

"They looked worried and worn out … For them lugging this material around was obviously arduous, and it often gave doctors limited information," said Zhang, vice-president of Nanjing First Hospital in Nanjing, Jiangsu province.

To resolve the problem Zhang submitted a suggestion during last year's annual session of the NPC that called for the accelerated adoption of electronic medical examination records.

In May, authorities in Jiangsu established a digital platform that aggregated copies of medical films at all public institutions in the province.

"With a mouse click a doctor can access patients' imaging data anytime and anywhere, eliminating the need for patients to carry X-ray films around," Zhang said.

The platform is expected to save patients about two billion yuan ($275 million) a year by reducing duplicated examination fees, he said.

In November the National Health Commission called for more sharing and recognition of examinations among various medical institutions.

"With advances in technologies and policies I believe we will soon achieve universal availability of these medical documents nationwide, making it more convenient for patients and cutting costs," Zhang said.