Health Ciga Tool Reduces Hospital Overcrowding in Medellín
- Medellín's Mayor's Office has implemented teh Centro de Información y Gestión de Afiliados (CIGA) to alleviate pressure on the city's emergency rooms.
- This approach ensures that emergency services are available for critical cases, guaranteeing appropriate care based on clinical need, according to city officials.
- As of late 2024, the system has facilitated access to care for a significant number of patients in specialized areas.
Medellín’s CIGA System Reduces Emergency Room Overcrowding by 32%
Table of Contents
Published September 10, 2024
Addressing Emergency Room Strain in Medellín
Medellín’s Mayor’s Office has implemented teh Centro de Información y Gestión de Afiliados (CIGA) to alleviate pressure on the city’s emergency rooms. The system functions by initially triaging patients at healthcare points. If a case isn’t a vital emergency, CIGA quickly schedules an appointment within the patient’s EPS network or at a nearby healthcare facility, preventing needless emergency room visits.
This approach ensures that emergency services are available for critical cases, guaranteeing appropriate care based on clinical need, according to city officials.
Beyond General Medicine: CIGA’s Broad reach
CIGA’s impact extends beyond general medical care. As of late 2024, the system has facilitated access to care for a significant number of patients in specialized areas. Specifically, 688 patients received mental health support, while 39,438 appointments were scheduled for maternal healthcare and 32,445 for pediatric care.
32% Reduction in Emergency Room Saturation
Natalia López Delgado, Medellín’s Secretary of Health, announced a 32% reduction in emergency room saturation thanks to CIGA. “In Medellín we are transforming the way in which the health system works. With the CIGA we have managed to reduce the emergency saturation by 32 %. this is an innovative bet that connects EPS and IPS in real time, improves the quality of care and demonstrates that when we work as a team, citizens are the real beneficiaries,” she stated.
The CIGA system represents a collaborative effort between EPS and IPS, leveraging real-time connectivity to improve the quality of healthcare and prioritize patient needs.
Looking Ahead: CIGA’s Future Development
The city anticipates further expansion and refinement of the CIGA system through 2025. Future developments may include integration with additional healthcare providers and the implementation of more elegant triage protocols. The goal is to continue optimizing the system’s efficiency and effectiveness in delivering timely and appropriate care to medellín’s residents.