Vietnam Ministry of Health proposes reusing 441 medical tests and imaging results

The Vietnamese Ministry of Health is seeking public feedback on a draft circular that would allow the interoperability of over 400 medical tests and diagnostic imaging results between health insurance-covered facilities. This proposal aims to reduce medical costs, minimize waiting times, and prevent unnecessary medical interventions for patients transferring between hospitals.

The proposed list includes 441 items across biochemistry, hematology, microbiology, parasitology, and diagnostic imaging. Notably, the scope has expanded from previous regulations to include not just test results but also raw imaging data from X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs.

Under the draft, the validity period for results is determined by the time of sample collection for tests and the time of technical execution for imaging. Specific timeframes are proposed for various tests, such as 24 hours for blood urea, 168 hours for uric acid, and 60 days for HbA1c. Doctors will retain the final authority to decide whether to use existing results or order new ones based on the patient's current clinical condition and professional requirements.