ICT in Concepcion Primary Care Facility (PCF)

Background of Concepcion PCF

Previously known as Concepcion Rural Health Unit, the Primary Care Facility of Concepcion is a healthcare establishments that provides first level of contact for individuals seeking medical attention. After completing the requirements set by the Department of Health, the Concepcion RHU was then converted into a Primary Care Facility in December of 2023.^[1] It is located at Confesor Street, Barangay Poblacion, Concepcion, Iloilo. The health facility is composed of 1 doctor---the Municipal Health Officer which is the department head, 3 nurses, 1 Sanitary Inspector, 1 Medical Technologist, 17 midwives, 3 ambulance drivers and 5 administrative aides.

Health Services

Location of Concepcion PCF

The Primary Care Facility of Concepcion offers various medical services as shown below;

Preventive and Health Promotion Services (Health Screening and Risk Assessments, Vaccinations and Immunizations, Health Education, Disease Prevention Programs)
Outpatient Care and Consultation (General Medical Consultation, Minor Injury Treatment, Chronic Disease Management, Family Medicine Services)
Maternal and Child Health Services (Prenatal and Postnatal Care, Family Planning and Reproductive Health Services, Pediatric Care, Newborn Screening)
Diagnostic and Laboratory Services
Minor Surgical and Medical Procedures
Dental Services
Animal Bite Treatment and Management
Emergency Care and First Aid
Health Records and Follow-Up Services
Referral Services
Telemedicine

ICT in the Health Facility

As a major discussion in this article, ICT in the Primary Care Facility of Concepcion has seen gradual improvements over recent years, but there are still significant challenges in terms of infrastructure, training, and resource allocation. ICT plays a crucial role in enhancing healthcare delivery, enabling more efficient management of patient information, improving service accessibility, and supporting better decision-making processes in primary care settings.

Deficiencies & Solutions

Below is the list of some major deficiencies in ICT resource in Primary Care Facilities;

Limited Access to Reliable Internet Connectivity - Many rural and remote primary care facilities suffer from poor or no internet connectivity. This limits access to online medical resources, telemedicine, patient records, and communication between healthcare providers. This may lead to delayed diagnoses, lack of access to updated medical information, and challenges in connecting with specialists or other healthcare professionals for teleconsultations.
Outdated or Insufficient Hardware -Many primary care facilities use outdated computers, medical devices, or network infrastructure. This affects the efficiency of healthcare operations and the ability to store and process patient data. This may lead to slow systems, frequent breakdowns, data loss, or compromised ability to integrate with other health information systems.
Lack of Health Information Management Systems (HIMS) - Many facilities still rely on paper-based records or fragmented digital systems for managing patient data. Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems are often absent or poorly integrated. Negative impacts result to inefficient patient data management, difficulty in tracking patient histories, and increased risks of errors, such as medication mix-ups or missed follow-ups.
Insufficient Training and Technical Support - Healthcare staff often lack training in using ICT tools, such as electronic health records, telemedicine platforms, and other digital health solutions. Inadequate technical support further exacerbates this issue leading to poor utilization of ICT resources, inefficient workflows, and data entry errors due to improper use of health IT systems.

Addressing ICT deficiencies in Primary Care Facilities in the LGUs requires a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach, focusing on infrastructure, capacity building, policy development, and stakeholder engagement. Below are some of the most important actions that the government must do in order to address problems related to healthcare ICT;

The government, in collaboration with private telecom providers, should prioritize expanding high-speed internet coverage to underserved areas. This could include supporting satellite-based internet services for remote regions. Another is to encourage partnerships between government and telecom providers to establish affordable internet solutions for healthcare facilities, especially in geographically isolated and disadvantaged (GIDA) areas. Almost all island barangays of Concepcion are listed by the DOH as GIDA areas where internet or even cellular network is either lacking or unstable.

National and local governments should allocate funding to upgrade ICT infrastructure in primary care facilities. This includes providing modern computers, tablets, and medical equipment, as well as ensuring stable power supplies (e.g., backup generators, solar power).

The LGU may establish mandatory, continuous ICT training programs for healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, administrative staff, and health information officers focusing on areas like EMR management, telemedicine, digital data entry, and cybersecurity.

Reference:

^ "STEPS IN PRIMARY CARE FACILITY LICENSING".

[1] "STEPS IN PRIMARY CARE FACILITY LICENSING".

[1]