MediNet: Singapore's nationwide medical network.

MediNet is Singapore's nationwide computer network for the medical and health care community. This paper presents the case for MediNet and discusses the five high-priority applications which would be implemented by 1993. These 5 pilot applications focus on the processing of claims in hospital bills, electronic procurement of medical and surgical supplies, the transmission of notifications to government agencies, a national patient master index and access to local and foreign databases. MediNet will be able to link the computer systems of all participants in the healthcare delivery system. These include the Ministry of Health, Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board, government, restructured and private hospitals and general practice clinics. By connecting their computers (personal computers, minicomputers and mainframes) to MediNet, these organisations will be able to communicate, exchange data and access common applications on the network.