A patient uses a self-service machine installed with the new cloud-based system at a newly launched campus of FAHZH in Hangzhou, the capital city of Zhejiang province. [Photo/zj.zjol.com.cn]

The First Affiliated Hospital to Zhejiang University School of Medicine (FAHZH) launched a brand new online information system powered by tech giant Alibaba's cloud-computing technologies on Nov 1, becoming China's first hospital to fully embrace cloud services.

The FAHZH, consisting of six campuses in Hangzhou, is arguably the top hospital in East China's Zhejiang province, with an annual reception of five million visits in its outpatient service area and nearly 6,000 beds in its wards. Its previous information system was increasingly challenged by the massive amount of data generated by daily operations.

Alibaba Group, which is also based in Hangzhou, thoroughly investigated various application scenarios in the hospital and offered a powerful digital solution that uses cloud computing, 5G and internet of things (IoT) technologies. 

All the information collected in the hospital is instantly uploaded to the Alibaba Cloud platform and processed efficiently.

The new system prioritizes the integrated management of clinical information, assisting the hospital in its accurate recording of patient history, decision-making in clinical practices and risk monitoring during medical treatment.

The cloud-based system has also addressed patients' usual complaints about long wait times, followed by short personal interviews with doctors. Patients can now describe symptoms, navigate useful information, book interviews and physical tests, receive reminders and make payments through the Alipay mobile app.

Powered by the robust computing power of Alibaba Cloud, the hospital can make well-educated decisions regarding doctor-patient matchmaking and transfers of patients and doctors to different campuses.