The state of Victoria announced in late April 2018 that it has launched the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct Strategic Plan. It is a road map for transforming the precinct into an economic powerhouse, ensuring that medical discoveries made in Victoria and their economic benefits remains to benefit the local community.
This project is expected to create 10,000 jobs by 2030 with a focus on commercialization, unlocking the value of health data, and attracting and retaining scientists and entrepreneurs.
Big data management at the heart of the project
The strategic plan highlights three major future directions for the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct to unlock value from digital health and big data:
- 1. Implementing digital clinical systems;
- 2. Improving use of health and biomedical data;
- 3. Meaningful data for impact.
1. Implementing digital clinical systems
After an initial investment of AU$16.6 million (€10.4m; US$12.3m) in electronic medical records in 2017-2018, the Government of Victoria has committed AU$123,8 million (€77.7m; US$92m) in the 2018-2019 state budget to create world-leading electronic medical records system (EMR) in three key health services in Parkville (suburbs of Melbourne) to allow more patients to access better, faster and safer healthcare.
The Royal Children’s Hospital is the first Victorian hospital to implement a fully digital electronic medical record system.
This system provides better access to patient information and test results for doctors and nurses. All patient records are updated in real time, allowing clinicians to access all the information they need to provide the very best care, every step of the way. The device also monitors when patients are eligible to participate in studies and trials.
Building on the successful implementation of electronic medical records at the Royal Children’s Hospital for Children, the system will be extended to Melbourne Health center, one of Australia’s leading public healthcare providers, the Royal Women’s Hospital and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Center. The project will link patient records at the three health services.
By bringing all of Parkville’s major hospitals into one system, a patient’s complete and up-to-date medical record will be available to their care team wherever in the precinct they receive their treatment.
The Victorian Government will continue to support health services to adopt digital clinical systems and electronic medical records.
AUD34.1 million of savings
According to official figures, the EMR implementation will save the State of Victoria AU$34.1 million (€21.4m; US$25.3m) every year once the system is operational.
Just 12 months after its implementation, the Royal Children’s Hospital electronic medical record has brought significant benefits to patients, including:
- a 27% reduction in medication prescribing and administration errors;
- a 4% increase in immunization rates for children in hospital;
- 6,768 fewer pathology tests performed;
- 2,414 fewer medical imaging examinations.
Special Minister of State Gavin Jennings said the deployment of the EMR is crucial to improve patient healthcare but also stimulate innovation and research for better care in the future.
2. Improving use of health and biomedical data
The State of Victoria has set up various programs and initiatives, underway, to collect and use data for clinical research and practice, safety and quality improvement but also population health monitoring.
Some information is available from sources such as clinical databases, the Department of Health and Human Services, clinical registries and the Victorian Cancer Registry.
The Government of Victoria will work with precinct partners to identify current gaps in its data recording systems and support the development of a secure world-class health data network across the precinct that addresses privacy and data ownership concerns.
3. Meaningful data for impact
Advances in automation and the increasing use of electronic medical records, clinical registries and digital technologies, such as augmented intelligence, mean that healthcare industry and biomedical sciences sector are generating ever-increasing volumes of rich data.
Skills in the field of big data and the right infrastructure are essential to manage, store, program, analyze and interpret all this valuable information. That is why Melbourne Biomedical Precinct Office will work with precinct partners to set up collaborative approaches in order to develop a health analytics workforce and capability.