A reporter visited the Baogang Group Third Staff Hospital on Feb 13 to learn about Baotou's medical test result-sharing initiative, which allows doctors to access previous test results from other hospitals through an integrated platform, reducing redundant tests and easing the burden on patients.

Hospitals in Baotou open medical test result sharing. [Photo/WeChat account of Baotou Daily]

"My father has diabetes, and his blood sugar levels were unstable during the Spring Festival holiday from Jan 28 to Feb 4. We first visited the First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College for tests, and later planned to go to the Baogang Group Third Staff Hospital for a follow-up. We thought he might need to redo all the tests, but the doctor said the results from our last hospital visit could be referenced. It saved us money and time," said Ms Gao, a family member of a patient at the Baogang Group Third Staff Hospital.

Since 2023, Baotou health commission has been promoting test result recognition among secondary and higher-level public hospitals. By 2024, all such hospitals were connected to a unified health information platform, enabling seamless data sharing. By 2025, this initiative will be fully implemented across the city, optimizing medical resources and improving healthcare accessibility.

Currently, a total of 28 public hospitals in Baotou participate in the system, with over 14,000 test result retrievals recorded. The recognized tests include 41 types of laboratory tests and 158 imaging exams such as X-rays and CT scans. Reports included in this system bear the "Baotou HR" label, ensuring standardized quality and reliability.

"Shared test results improve diagnostic efficiency and reduce costs. For imaging exams like MRI and CT scans, we can now access dynamic images instead of relying on static reports, giving us a clearer and more detailed view of a patient's condition," said Dr Liu Kaiyuan from the Baogang Group Third Staff Hospital.

However, not all results are automatically accepted. "For critical cases like sudden strokes, where a patient's condition changes rapidly, new tests may still be necessary," explained Dr Wu Di, director of medical affairs at the hospital.

Moving forward, Baotou aims to expand the program, hoping to have over 200 recognized tests by 2025 and cross-region recognition with nearby cities such as Hohhot and Ordos.