Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav recently detailed new measures implemented by the Government of India to streamline outpatient department (OPD) registration through the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). The "Scan and Share" initiative aims to improve patient registration processes and manage healthcare facility queues more efficiently.

Hospitals registered on the Health Facility Registry (HFR) and using ABDM-compliant Hospital Management Information Systems (HMIS) are now equipped to generate QR codes. Patients visiting these facilities can scan these QR codes to register for OPD services. This QR-based registration system is currently in place across more than 5,800 public healthcare institutions, with ongoing training and support provided to state governments, Chief Medical Officers, and facility managers.

To support the initiative, educational materials such as videos, posters, and banners have been distributed to facilities, and patient awareness campaigns have been conducted to familiarize the public with the ABHA registration process. Additionally, financial incentives are offered through the Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS) to health facilities and Digital Solution Companies for each QR code scan and share registration completed.

The "Scan and Share" system is designed to alleviate the burden of long queues in busy healthcare settings. It is applicable to a range of healthcare facilities, including Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Urban Community Health Centres (U-CHCs), and District Hospitals (DHs). Beyond initial OPD registration, this system facilitates the linkage of patient health records to their ABHA, allowing for seamless sharing of diagnostic reports with other healthcare providers via mobile applications.

Since its launch in October 2022, the "Scan and Share" initiative has been utilized in over 2,400 hospitals, benefiting more than 1.80 lakh patients daily. In total, over 3.87 crore patients have benefited from the program. To further enhance this system, a new "Scan and Pay" use-case is being piloted, which allows patients to pay for diagnostic tests, lab services, and registration fees directly through a mobile application, reducing the need to handle payments before providing samples.

To bolster affordability and accessibility, the government has taken steps to integrate diagnostic software solutions and Lab Management Information Systems (LMIS) with ABDM. This integration enables digital delivery of lab reports directly to patients. As of July 26, 2024, more than 219 partners, including 15 ABDM-integrated LMIS, have been incorporated into the system.

By enabling digital delivery of lab results to patients’ Personal Health Record (PHR) applications, the ABDM initiative streamlines the patient journey, reduces the need for physical visits to collect test results, and alleviates logistical and financial burdens. These measures collectively contribute to a more efficient and accessible public healthcare system.