The All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi is looking to set up an internal communications system to improve its emergency response.

A news report noted from a recently published memorandum issued by AIIMS Delhi Director M Srinivas that the campus is on the lookout for a locally-developed cloud-hosted messaging system. 

The public medical university wants a tailor-made solution from experienced government organisations, public sector undertakings or autonomous bodies/organisations under the Indian government with experience in providing and maintaining message communication systems for large organisations.

Specifically, it needs the system to be application-based and has features similar to popular instant messaging platforms – it must allow users to send and receive instant messages about patient care activities, official communications, and the like. The app, which should run on both iOS and Android devices, must be "user-friendly, accessible, and able to accommodate a large number of users at any given time."

The system must also allow authorised users to send and receive bulk messages in real time.

Other specifications that AIIMS Delhi would like to have in its internal communications system are:

• Scalable

• Capable of restricting personal use of mobile phones during work hours

• Allow the sending of text and various kinds of files

• Must be stored on the Indian Server as per government regulation

• Able to broadcast messages to all users or to a selected category of users/employees

• Allow the creation of closed user groups for the sharing of confidential patient care information to select users/employees

• Safe from cybersecurity threats

• Can host a digital copy of the institute's directory that is accessible to all employees

• Can integrate with existing systems

• Enable integration with duty rosters of various cadres of employees with the information accessible to select users

And if possible, the campus wants the system to also integrate with a proposed indoor navigation system, enabling geotagging.

WHY IT MATTERS

AIIMS Delhi, which caters to more than 25,000 patients and visitors daily, is currently sending official communications via email, e-Office, and personally through phone calls. It ultimately aims to improve responsiveness, collaboration, and coordination of their staff at times of mass casualties or disaster situations. 

"An efficient, safe and robust messaging system for quick communication will help in improving responsiveness, collaboration, and coordination among various stakeholders, especially during emergency situations," the news report quoted the director's memorandum as saying.

THE LARGER TREND

AIIMS Delhi continues to embark on its digital transformation. It is now fully implementing the e-hospital HMIS developed by the National Informatics Centre and an all-digital payments facility this month. It is also in search of a provider to put up 5G mobile connection across its campus that will enable the deployment of an integrated medical university information system.