Pooled resource A digital health information-sharing service aimed at hospitals, clinicians and medical aids has gone live in South Africa. The CareConnect Health Information Exchange (HIE) enables health professionals to access up-to-date patient data and administrative details from any device. HIE also facilitates the authorised digital transfer of healthcare information across organisations within a region, community or hospital system. Dr Rolan Christian, acting CEO of CareConnect, says the system will improve the speed, quality and co-ordination of care. ‘For patients, access to the HIE can mean the difference between life and death in an emergency situation or when travelling, as the treating doctor will be able to access critical, up-to-date health information in real-time, on any device, be it a laptop, mobile phone or tablet, wherever they are.’ The non-profit company was founded by six hospital groups and medical scheme administrators: Netcare, Life Healthcare, Mediclinic, Momentum Health Solutions, Medscheme and Discovery. 26 April 2022 Image: Gallo/Getty images