May 27, 2008 10:00 ET
IBM Canada Subsidiary Opens International Centre of Excellence to Support Information Exchange Between Health Systems
QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - May 27, 2008) - Today, IBM (NYSE:IBM) announced it has created a Centre of Excellence in Quebec City to deliver a solution to facilitate the sharing of critical medical documents between physicians, clinics and hospitals around the world. Artefact Informatique, a division of LGS Group Inc., an IBM company, will be the exclusive global provider of the solution.
The solution acts as a registry and repository for a wide range of diverse documents including lab reports, digital images, and drug profiles. Authorized healthcare professionals can search, retrieve and view documents from their own jurisdictions or other jurisdictions - regardless of where or how originals are stored. It was developed to be easily integrated with Electronic Health Record solutions because it is based on open industry standards such as DICOM, HL7, and XDS.
"The ability to access health information dispersed among diverse organizations is one of the main IT challenges facing today's healthcare providers. Standards-based solutions are a crucial factor in answering this challenge," said Barry Burk, vice-president, Healthcare Industry, IBM Canada. "Artefact's and IBM's expertise in healthcare and experience in globally integrating enterprises will together advance the ability of healthcare enterprises around the world to share critical medical information and improve patient care."
IBM's solution conforms with the Cross-enterprise Document Sharing (XDS) Integration Profile as defined by Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE), a global initiative by healthcare professionals and industry to improve the way computers share health information.
"It has been shown many times that systems using IHE communicate with one another better, are easier to implement, and enable care providers to use information more effectively. Physicians, medical specialists, nurses, and other care providers have been waiting for the day when vital information can be shared seamlessly regardless of where they are or which system they are using. That day is now," said Jose Mussi, executive director, IHE Canada.
IBM was an early advocate for healthcare industry standards, is actively engaged in IHE Planning and Technical Committees and participates in interoperability events and demonstrations worldwide.
IBM's healthcare strategy is based on the adoption of a service-oriented architecture (SOA) approach and the use of open standards and standards-based electronic health records to provide secure and private exchanges of records between authorized healthcare providers.
More than 30 IBM researchers and software engineers in labs in Haifa, Israel, Rochester, Minnesota and San Jose, California, invested three years developing the SOA solution which is built on IBM WebSphere and DB2 software.
About IBM
For more information about IBM Healthcare, visit www.ibm.com/industries/healthcare.
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Media Contacts:
IBM Canada
Leslie Plant
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(416) 478-9840
Email: laplant@ca.ibm.com
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IBM Canada
Joanne Fortin
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Email: fortin@ca.ibm.com
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Monday, June 2, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
MDA (think Canadarm) world-class solution performs groundbreaking brain surgery
Developed with the University of Calgary's Faculty of Medicine
Richmond, B.C. - MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (TSX: MDA), a provider of essential information solutions, announced today that neuroArm - a sophisticated medical robotic system developed by MDA, has successfully performed ground-breaking robotic neurosurgery at the Calgary Foothills Hospital. Renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Garnette Sutherland skillfully operated neuroArm during an intricate 8-hour procedure to remove a brain tumour from a 21 year old patient.
'neuroArm met all our expectations,' stated Dr. Garnette Sutherland, professor of neurosurgery at the University of Calgary's Faculty of Medicine and a Calgary Health Region neurosurgeon. 'The manipulators and controls performed flawlessly, providing extraordinary control and extreme accuracy.' He went on to add, 'The success of this procedure is expected to revolutionize neurosurgery.'
MDA has a disciplined program to nurture spin-off opportunities. Spin-offs are under development in diverse markets that include medical, mining, nuclear, etc. In the medical area, our neuroArm is a specific avenue under development for extremely precise surgery applications.
Developed in cooperation with the University of Calgary's Faculty of Medicine, neuroArm combines MDA's innovative robotic technology with the University of Calgary's vision for improving medical procedures and provides a major technological and medical advancement in patient care.
neuroArm incorporates the most advanced control systems and vision technology that will allow neurosurgeons to perform highly intricate surgical procedures. Initially designed for brain surgery applications, the technology can be applied to other surgical applications.
'The Canadian Space Agency's investment in space has provided the foundation to advance our robotic technology to benefit Canadians and patients around the world,' said Steve Oldham, a vice president within MDA's Information Systems group. 'Drawing upon three generations of robotic systems developed by MDA for the International Space Station, neuroArm is a natural extension of MDA's robotic technologies.'
neuroArm is the first of its kind image-guided robot providing unprecedented levels of dexterity and high positional accuracy. The system combines a highly accurate MRI compatible manipulator system, image guidance, end effectors that incorporate modified neurosurgical tools, touch sensors and force feedback hand controllers that provide remote presence and control to the surgeon. The system provides both diagnostic and surgical capability.
Related Websites:
www.mdacorporation.com
www.medicine.ucalgary.ca
For more information, please contact:
Wendy Keyzer
MDA External Relations
Telephone: 604-231-2743
Richmond, B.C. - MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (TSX: MDA), a provider of essential information solutions, announced today that neuroArm - a sophisticated medical robotic system developed by MDA, has successfully performed ground-breaking robotic neurosurgery at the Calgary Foothills Hospital. Renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Garnette Sutherland skillfully operated neuroArm during an intricate 8-hour procedure to remove a brain tumour from a 21 year old patient.
'neuroArm met all our expectations,' stated Dr. Garnette Sutherland, professor of neurosurgery at the University of Calgary's Faculty of Medicine and a Calgary Health Region neurosurgeon. 'The manipulators and controls performed flawlessly, providing extraordinary control and extreme accuracy.' He went on to add, 'The success of this procedure is expected to revolutionize neurosurgery.'
MDA has a disciplined program to nurture spin-off opportunities. Spin-offs are under development in diverse markets that include medical, mining, nuclear, etc. In the medical area, our neuroArm is a specific avenue under development for extremely precise surgery applications.
Developed in cooperation with the University of Calgary's Faculty of Medicine, neuroArm combines MDA's innovative robotic technology with the University of Calgary's vision for improving medical procedures and provides a major technological and medical advancement in patient care.
neuroArm incorporates the most advanced control systems and vision technology that will allow neurosurgeons to perform highly intricate surgical procedures. Initially designed for brain surgery applications, the technology can be applied to other surgical applications.
'The Canadian Space Agency's investment in space has provided the foundation to advance our robotic technology to benefit Canadians and patients around the world,' said Steve Oldham, a vice president within MDA's Information Systems group. 'Drawing upon three generations of robotic systems developed by MDA for the International Space Station, neuroArm is a natural extension of MDA's robotic technologies.'
neuroArm is the first of its kind image-guided robot providing unprecedented levels of dexterity and high positional accuracy. The system combines a highly accurate MRI compatible manipulator system, image guidance, end effectors that incorporate modified neurosurgical tools, touch sensors and force feedback hand controllers that provide remote presence and control to the surgeon. The system provides both diagnostic and surgical capability.
Related Websites:
www.mdacorporation.com
www.medicine.ucalgary.ca
For more information, please contact:
Wendy Keyzer
MDA External Relations
Telephone: 604-231-2743
Monday, May 19, 2008
New National Fund to Support Internationally Educated Nurses - Canadian Nurses Foundation Announces RBC Diversity in Nursing Fund
OTTAWA, May 16 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Nurses Foundation (CNF) and RBC together are celebrating National Nursing Week, May 12-16, 2008, by establishing the RBC Diversity in Nursing Fund. This new $25,000 fund enhances RBC's commitment to diversity by supporting the integration of internationally educated nurses into Canada's health-care system.
Administered by the Canadian Nurses Foundation, the RBC Diversity in Nursing Fund will provide bursaries to internationally educated nurses or IENs. These bursaries will subsidize the cost of bridging programs, including language training, enabling IENs to practise in Canada.
"Diversity is definitely a competitive advantage in Canada, and we believe that organizations, cities and businesses that leverage diversity will be more sustainable over the long haul," said Shari Austin, vice-president and head, Corporate Citizenship, RBC. "Nursing is critical to Canada's health-care system, which is why RBC is honoured to provide this $25,000 donation to the Canadian Nurses Foundation to establish the RBC Diversity in Nursing Fund."
In 2006, IENs represented 7.5% of Canada's registered nurses, or 19,836 nurses, with the number of IENs applying for licensure increasing three-fold in many jurisdictions in recent years. CNF and CNA recognize the right for individuals to migrate but do not support the unethical recruitment practices of nurses.
For further information: Jonelle Istead, Canadian Nurses Foundation,
1-800-361-8404 ext.204, jistead@cna-aiic.ca
Administered by the Canadian Nurses Foundation, the RBC Diversity in Nursing Fund will provide bursaries to internationally educated nurses or IENs. These bursaries will subsidize the cost of bridging programs, including language training, enabling IENs to practise in Canada.
"Diversity is definitely a competitive advantage in Canada, and we believe that organizations, cities and businesses that leverage diversity will be more sustainable over the long haul," said Shari Austin, vice-president and head, Corporate Citizenship, RBC. "Nursing is critical to Canada's health-care system, which is why RBC is honoured to provide this $25,000 donation to the Canadian Nurses Foundation to establish the RBC Diversity in Nursing Fund."
In 2006, IENs represented 7.5% of Canada's registered nurses, or 19,836 nurses, with the number of IENs applying for licensure increasing three-fold in many jurisdictions in recent years. CNF and CNA recognize the right for individuals to migrate but do not support the unethical recruitment practices of nurses.
For further information: Jonelle Istead, Canadian Nurses Foundation,
1-800-361-8404 ext.204, jistead@cna-aiic.ca
Monday, May 12, 2008
MediSolution Announces Launch of its Learning Center
Centralized initiative to provide comprehensive training and skills development
MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - May 12, 2008) - MediSolution Ltd. (TSX:MSH), today announced the launch of the new MediSolution Learning Center, a centralized organization designed to provide customers with convenient access to training for all MediSolution product families.
The MediSolution Learning Center will provide a full range of courses and workshops aimed at providing beginner and advanced end users with the necessary skills and techniques to optimize MediSolution's software products within their own organizations. The Learning Center facilities include fully equipped learning laboratories which have been designed to provide an optimal hands-on and classroom style training experience. MediSolution Learning Center courses and workshops are currently offered in Montreal, Quebec City and Laval. A wide range of online courses are also available to further facilitate access to skills improvement.
All Learning Center courses and workshops will be led by seasoned professionals with specialized domain knowledge and advanced product expertise. In addition to gaining an understanding of the various features available in the software, attendees will be provided with tips and techniques to save time and design more efficient workflows.
"We realize that the right training, provided at the right time allows our customers' new and existing employees to rapidly improve product proficiency, saving valuable time and money," explained Paul Lepage, President and CEO at MediSolution. "The Learning Center curriculum will ensure that our customers are offered the courses and workshops they need in a structured, scheduled, professional environment."
MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - May 12, 2008) - MediSolution Ltd. (TSX:MSH), today announced the launch of the new MediSolution Learning Center, a centralized organization designed to provide customers with convenient access to training for all MediSolution product families.
The MediSolution Learning Center will provide a full range of courses and workshops aimed at providing beginner and advanced end users with the necessary skills and techniques to optimize MediSolution's software products within their own organizations. The Learning Center facilities include fully equipped learning laboratories which have been designed to provide an optimal hands-on and classroom style training experience. MediSolution Learning Center courses and workshops are currently offered in Montreal, Quebec City and Laval. A wide range of online courses are also available to further facilitate access to skills improvement.
All Learning Center courses and workshops will be led by seasoned professionals with specialized domain knowledge and advanced product expertise. In addition to gaining an understanding of the various features available in the software, attendees will be provided with tips and techniques to save time and design more efficient workflows.
"We realize that the right training, provided at the right time allows our customers' new and existing employees to rapidly improve product proficiency, saving valuable time and money," explained Paul Lepage, President and CEO at MediSolution. "The Learning Center curriculum will ensure that our customers are offered the courses and workshops they need in a structured, scheduled, professional environment."
Credit Valley Hospital to bring preventive medicine information to the community
The Credit Valley Hospital has partnered with RxTV and SHARP Electronics of Canada Ltd to bring preventive medicine information to the community, its patients and their families in high-impact High Definition.
Monday,
MISSISSAUGA, ON:
Exposing patients and families to reliable health and wellness information is a focus of Credit Valley’s new and improved internal television station known as Credit Valley Current. A new partnership between SHARP and Credit Valley is showcasing digital signage in high definition (HD) format featured on SHARP’s 36 – 54” HDTV screens strategically located throughout the hospital.
The Credit Valley Hospital has launched a High Definition (HD)
Physicians and clinicians also provide preventive medical tips for patients, visitors and staff.
Credit Valley Current will be an integral part of the hospital’s new expansion project.
The programming will include regular construction site “walkabouts”, progress
Monday, March 31, 2008
Agfa HealthCare chosen to drive New Brunswick e-Health Program
Diagnostic imaging repository powered by Agfa HealthCare gives healthcare providers secure access to vital patient information, regardless of location
Toronto, Ontario – 25 March 2008 : Agfa HealthCare, a leading provider of IT-enabled clinical workflow and diagnostic imaging solutions, announces today it has been chosen as the vendor of choice by New Brunswick to deliver a Diagnostic Imaging Repository (DI-r). The agreement is a of major step forward for the province as it leaps forward with its e-Health strategy – One Patient One Record – which will provide the infrastructure and functionality required to capture, store, view and link relevant patient information for its 740,000 residents.
New Brunswick has partnered with Canada Health Infoway, which is contributing $18.2 million to the project, with the remaining $17.7 million coming from the province. The province expects to implement its One Patient One Record system during the next three years.
Working with IBM, who will provide consulting and implementation services for the project, Agfa HealthCare will create a Diagnostic Imaging Repository. This Diagnostic Imaging Repository is based on its IMPAX Data Center concept for consolidating a patient’s images and reports into a central system. The information can be retained for a patient’s lifetime, and is available in a standardized format, for the use of authorized clinicians. Doctors, nurses and technologists will have secure log-in access to relevant prior patient images, regardless of where they were acquired. Not only will the repository help clinicians make informed decisions about a patient’s care, healthcare facilities can also expect to significantly reduce costs and redundancies, such as the duplication of imaging exams due to lost paper files.
“The drive toward the implementation of the One Patient One Record system shows that New Brunswick is a true Canadian e-Health leader,” said Michael Green, President and CEO of Agfa HealthCare Canada. “Leveraging Agfa HealthCare’s interoperable technology, this province-wide repository addresses the need for integration across healthcare facilities. Not only will this provide more informed decision making, it will also enhance the delivery of patient care for the residents of New Brunswick.’’
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
New Centre to support Canadian Health Innovations
OTTAWA, March 17 /CNW Telbec/ - The Conference Board of Canada and the Canadian Health Industries Partnership (CHIP) have reached an agreement to jointly create the Centre for the Advancement of Health Innovations (CAHI).
The new centre will build on the resources, talent, and commitment of the Conference Board and CHIP to make Canada a world leader in the development and
commercialization of health innovations.CAHI will adopt a global perspective in identifying and exploring the applicability of best practices to Canada and Canadian industries. To this end, the centre will have an International Advisory Panel chaired by Henry Friesen, founding president of the Canadian Institute of Health Research and
founder of CHIP. This panel will be made up of world leaders in health innovation who bring with them a vast wealth of experience and knowledge. The inaugural meeting of this policy centre will take place on March 31-April 1, 2008 in Toronto.
The co-chairs are Dr. Calvin Stiller, Chair of Genome Canada and Mark Lievonen, President of Sanofi Pasteur Limited and Chair of CHIP.
The Conference Board of Canada (CBoC) is widely recognized as Canada's foremost independent, not-for-profit research organization specializing in economic trends, public policy, and organizational performance.
The Canadian Health Industries Partnership (CHIP) is a legally constituted not-for-profit organization that provides a forum to enable governments, academia, and leaders of Canada's industrial health innovation sector to collaborate in exchanging perspectives, discussing and developing recommended strategy directions and policy options on health innovation.
The new centre will build on the resources, talent, and commitment of the Conference Board and CHIP to make Canada a world leader in the development and
commercialization of health innovations.CAHI will adopt a global perspective in identifying and exploring the applicability of best practices to Canada and Canadian industries. To this end, the centre will have an International Advisory Panel chaired by Henry Friesen, founding president of the Canadian Institute of Health Research and
founder of CHIP. This panel will be made up of world leaders in health innovation who bring with them a vast wealth of experience and knowledge. The inaugural meeting of this policy centre will take place on March 31-April 1, 2008 in Toronto.
The co-chairs are Dr. Calvin Stiller, Chair of Genome Canada and Mark Lievonen, President of Sanofi Pasteur Limited and Chair of CHIP.
The Conference Board of Canada (CBoC) is widely recognized as Canada's foremost independent, not-for-profit research organization specializing in economic trends, public policy, and organizational performance.
The Canadian Health Industries Partnership (CHIP) is a legally constituted not-for-profit organization that provides a forum to enable governments, academia, and leaders of Canada's industrial health innovation sector to collaborate in exchanging perspectives, discussing and developing recommended strategy directions and policy options on health innovation.
For more information, visit www.conferenceboard.ca/CAHI
Monday, March 3, 2008
IBM Opens New 3D Virtual Healthcare Island on Second Life
Interactive environment displays IBM’s vision for consumer-driven healthcare
ORLANDO, FL. – February 25, 2008 – IBM debuted at HIMSS®08 its newest island in Second Life: IBM Virtual Healthcare Island. The island is a unique, three-dimensional representation of the challenges facing today’s healthcare industry and the role information technology will play in transforming global healthcare-delivery to meet patient needs.
The island supports the strategic healthcare vision that IBM released in October2006, entitled, Healthcare 2015: Win-Win or Lose-Lose, A Portrait and a Path to Successful Transformation. The paper paints a picture of a Healthcare Industry in crisis – of health systems in the United States and many other countries that will become unsustainable by the year 2015. To avoid “lose-lose” scenarios in which global healthcare systems “hit the wall” and require immediate and forced restructuring, IBM calls for what it defines as a “win-win” option: new levels of accountability, tough decisions, hard work and focus on the consumer.
The IBM Virtual Healthcare Island is designed with a futuristic atmosphere and provides visitors with an interactive demonstration of IBM’s open-standards-based Health Information Exchange (HIE) architecture. Working with project leads in the U.S., the island was designed and built by an all-IBM-India team.
Starting from the patient’s home, they create their own Personal Health Records (PHRs) in a secure and private environment and watch as it is incorporated into an array of Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems that can be used at various medical facilities. As they move from one island station to the next, they experience how the development of a totally integrated and interoperable longitudinal Electronic Health Record (EHR) is used within a highly secured network that allows access only by patient-authorized providers and family members.
Patient avatars arrive and are welcomed at the Central Park and then visit a Central Information Hub, where IBM’s view of the healthcare industry and the power of information technology to transform it are presented. An amphitheater on the Hub’s second floor provides an area that can support virtual meetings, complete with a large video screen and accompanying slide presentation on IBM’s HIE architecture and the positive impact that this technology can have in the transformation of the Healthcare Industry.
Visitors can then walk, fly or use transporters to visit the various island stations:
• The Patient’s Home: In the secure environment of a private home, patient avatars can initiate a PHR and populate it with their personal health characteristics and clinical history, accessed and downloaded from physician EMR data. They can also establish privacy and security preferences as well as health directives. The ground floor demonstrates secure messaging with providers and activates the initial PHR. Using a transporter to move upstairs, patients use home health devices to take weight, blood pressure and blood sugar readings in the privacy of a bedroom, further incorporating this information into the PHR, which is shown on presentation screens.
• The Laboratory: This stop offers laboratory and radiology suites to help avatars extend their understanding of the benefits of HIE. Here, patients can check in at a Patient Kiosk and have blood work and radiology tests performed. The use of EHRs – revealing only appropriate portions of the PHRs -- shows how consumers can also benefit through cost and time savings.
• The Clinic: Patient avatars transport or walk from the Lab to the Clinic, where a welcome from their primary-care physician awaits. A combination of scripting and information screens supports simulation of a patient exam, after which an electronic prescription is generated, and the continued development of the EHR is explained on nearby screens.
• The Pharmacy: Here, avatars can check in at a Patient Kiosk that simulates the verifying of drug information. They then receive their prescriptions and update their PHRs/EHRs with new medication data. The HIE architecture demonstrates how use of PHR/EHR technology can prevent consumers from purchasing medications that are contra-indicated given the medicines they presently require, as well as alerting them about potential drug-to-drug interactions. The PHR/EHR is again updated.
• The Hospital: In this futuristic, three story structure, avatars arrive for a scheduled visit with a specialist. Physicians’ offices, patient rooms and exam rooms are all simulated here.
• The Emergency Room: Avatars can chose to experience a virtual emergency by “touching” a specially scripted control. This engages a medical episode and a ride on a fast gurney directly into the private and secure emergency treatment area, where a special screen is programmed to reveal the full incorporation of the PHR to ensure proper treatment.
Acording to Dan Pelino, General Manager, IBM Global Healthcare & Life Sciences Industry, IBM offers the Virtual Health Island as a tool for its healthcare customers and itsworldwide sales force. The island allows each healthcare stakeholder to envision how the total system can be affected by intercession at each juncture of the healthcare delivery process. The use of our new virtual world provides an important, next-generation Internet-based resource to show how standards; business planning; the use of a secured, extensible and expandable architecture; HIE interoperability; and data use for healthcare analytics, quality, wellness and disease management are all helping to transform our industry.
IBM’s Healthcare & Life Sciences (HCLS) Industry will continue to develop the new island in months to come. The island can perform as a virtually “always on” demonstration tool for IBM’s sales personnel. A video version of the island is also under production.
IBM believes in the significant promise of virtual-worlds technologies far beyond today's usage: the next evolutionary phase of the Internet. IBM is helping clients and partners to conduct business inside virtual worlds and to connect the virtual world with the real world through a richer, more immersive Web environment.
Second Life is a 3D online world created by Linden Lab, a company founded in 1999 by Philip Rosedale, to create a revolutionary new form of shared 3D experience. Last October, IBM and Linden Lab announced their intent to jointly develop new technologies and methodologies based on open standards that will help advance the future of 3D virtual worlds.
For more information: Gina Jesberg, Mobile: (203) 545-3186 Email: ginajes@us.ibm.com
ORLANDO, FL. – February 25, 2008 – IBM debuted at HIMSS®08 its newest island in Second Life: IBM Virtual Healthcare Island. The island is a unique, three-dimensional representation of the challenges facing today’s healthcare industry and the role information technology will play in transforming global healthcare-delivery to meet patient needs.
The island supports the strategic healthcare vision that IBM released in October2006, entitled, Healthcare 2015: Win-Win or Lose-Lose, A Portrait and a Path to Successful Transformation. The paper paints a picture of a Healthcare Industry in crisis – of health systems in the United States and many other countries that will become unsustainable by the year 2015. To avoid “lose-lose” scenarios in which global healthcare systems “hit the wall” and require immediate and forced restructuring, IBM calls for what it defines as a “win-win” option: new levels of accountability, tough decisions, hard work and focus on the consumer.
The IBM Virtual Healthcare Island is designed with a futuristic atmosphere and provides visitors with an interactive demonstration of IBM’s open-standards-based Health Information Exchange (HIE) architecture. Working with project leads in the U.S., the island was designed and built by an all-IBM-India team.
Starting from the patient’s home, they create their own Personal Health Records (PHRs) in a secure and private environment and watch as it is incorporated into an array of Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems that can be used at various medical facilities. As they move from one island station to the next, they experience how the development of a totally integrated and interoperable longitudinal Electronic Health Record (EHR) is used within a highly secured network that allows access only by patient-authorized providers and family members.
Patient avatars arrive and are welcomed at the Central Park and then visit a Central Information Hub, where IBM’s view of the healthcare industry and the power of information technology to transform it are presented. An amphitheater on the Hub’s second floor provides an area that can support virtual meetings, complete with a large video screen and accompanying slide presentation on IBM’s HIE architecture and the positive impact that this technology can have in the transformation of the Healthcare Industry.
Visitors can then walk, fly or use transporters to visit the various island stations:
• The Patient’s Home: In the secure environment of a private home, patient avatars can initiate a PHR and populate it with their personal health characteristics and clinical history, accessed and downloaded from physician EMR data. They can also establish privacy and security preferences as well as health directives. The ground floor demonstrates secure messaging with providers and activates the initial PHR. Using a transporter to move upstairs, patients use home health devices to take weight, blood pressure and blood sugar readings in the privacy of a bedroom, further incorporating this information into the PHR, which is shown on presentation screens.
• The Laboratory: This stop offers laboratory and radiology suites to help avatars extend their understanding of the benefits of HIE. Here, patients can check in at a Patient Kiosk and have blood work and radiology tests performed. The use of EHRs – revealing only appropriate portions of the PHRs -- shows how consumers can also benefit through cost and time savings.
• The Clinic: Patient avatars transport or walk from the Lab to the Clinic, where a welcome from their primary-care physician awaits. A combination of scripting and information screens supports simulation of a patient exam, after which an electronic prescription is generated, and the continued development of the EHR is explained on nearby screens.
• The Pharmacy: Here, avatars can check in at a Patient Kiosk that simulates the verifying of drug information. They then receive their prescriptions and update their PHRs/EHRs with new medication data. The HIE architecture demonstrates how use of PHR/EHR technology can prevent consumers from purchasing medications that are contra-indicated given the medicines they presently require, as well as alerting them about potential drug-to-drug interactions. The PHR/EHR is again updated.
• The Hospital: In this futuristic, three story structure, avatars arrive for a scheduled visit with a specialist. Physicians’ offices, patient rooms and exam rooms are all simulated here.
• The Emergency Room: Avatars can chose to experience a virtual emergency by “touching” a specially scripted control. This engages a medical episode and a ride on a fast gurney directly into the private and secure emergency treatment area, where a special screen is programmed to reveal the full incorporation of the PHR to ensure proper treatment.
Acording to Dan Pelino, General Manager, IBM Global Healthcare & Life Sciences Industry, IBM offers the Virtual Health Island as a tool for its healthcare customers and itsworldwide sales force. The island allows each healthcare stakeholder to envision how the total system can be affected by intercession at each juncture of the healthcare delivery process. The use of our new virtual world provides an important, next-generation Internet-based resource to show how standards; business planning; the use of a secured, extensible and expandable architecture; HIE interoperability; and data use for healthcare analytics, quality, wellness and disease management are all helping to transform our industry.
IBM’s Healthcare & Life Sciences (HCLS) Industry will continue to develop the new island in months to come. The island can perform as a virtually “always on” demonstration tool for IBM’s sales personnel. A video version of the island is also under production.
IBM believes in the significant promise of virtual-worlds technologies far beyond today's usage: the next evolutionary phase of the Internet. IBM is helping clients and partners to conduct business inside virtual worlds and to connect the virtual world with the real world through a richer, more immersive Web environment.
Second Life is a 3D online world created by Linden Lab, a company founded in 1999 by Philip Rosedale, to create a revolutionary new form of shared 3D experience. Last October, IBM and Linden Lab announced their intent to jointly develop new technologies and methodologies based on open standards that will help advance the future of 3D virtual worlds.
For more information: Gina Jesberg, Mobile: (203) 545-3186 Email: ginajes@us.ibm.com
IBM Unveils the Next Generation of Enterprise Health Analytics
ORLANDO, FL – February 25, 2008 – IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced at HIMSS®08 a ground-breaking, comprehensive portfolio of health analytics solutions for healthcare providers. IBM’s proven Enterprise Health Analytics harness the power of massive information generated by today’s healthcare industry by converting it into new, data-driven intelligence. This rich source of clinical and business insight can bring strategic differentiation to providers by giving them unprecedented knowledge about their operations, patients, and effectively all aspects of their businesses.
IBM's Enterprise Health Analytics are a complete suite of services, infrastructure, and tools that can be tailored to the needs of any client-- from entry level, off-the-shelf analytics capabilities to custom-built data warehouses for academic and research settings. The solutions fill a significant void in data integration and intelligent analyses that currently poses a major barrier to trans-formation in the Healthcare Industry.
According to Dan Pelino, General Manager, IBM Global Healthcare & Life Sciences Industry, we have witnessed an explosion of data and complexity in the healthcare industry over the past two decades. Hospitals moved to adopt Electronic Medical Records. Technology vendors delivered proprietary applications that captured and integrated discrete data to improve clinical processes. This meets an urgent need to convert discrete data in ways that meet growing demands from employers, payers, consumers and governments to publicly report quality, clinical outcomes, cost of care and compliance to standards.
At present, most major provider organizations have adopted a variety of proprietary, disparate systems designed and optimized for transactional performance. These departmental and transactional systems inhibit providers from having an enterprise view and the ability to quickly respond to changes in the market, such as pay-for-performance and quality reporting. What they require is an integrated system that enables data aggregation and analysis, the results of which are applied in clinical and business settings to dramatically improve quality outcomes.
In such a dynamic environment, IBM’s Enterprise Health Analytics solutions can help meet providers’ needs and generate increased competitiveness by helping them leverage their data-rich environments, even where disparate systems exist, transforming the data into intelligent, high-value clinical, business and research information. IBM can also leverage its strategic partnerships; its leadership in business intelligence in multiple industries; its leadership in high-performance and energy-efficient computing; and the movement to open standards and architectures (SOA) to help provider clients easily and affordably address the dynamics of changing business priorities.
IBM’s Enterprise Health Analytics solutions will help providers:
• Efficiently report, trend and analyze key organizational, financial and clinical metrics to improve reporting compliance, competitively participate in pay-for-performance programs, and drive performance improvement
• Access information to manage and report the progression and impact of chronic diseases such as diabetes or stroke within a system, region or market
• Predict high-risk populations and begin early interventions for wellness management
• View and analyze aggregated, specific data sets by specific populations for cohort management, disease registries, clinical guidelines, and patient safety
• Prepare for evidence-based medicine, leading to the practice of personalized medicine.
IBM’s Enterprise Health Analytics transforms information through a simplified, streamlined and “intelligent” process that successfully integrates and aggregates disparate data from multiple sources for practical use. Data is transformed through a Business Intelligence Reference Architecture that transforms disparate data, making it available in a timely manner for analysis that can solve specific clinical, business and research problems.
Further, IBM’s Enterprise Health Analytics solutions are enabled by an agile, resilient and scalable infrastructure that informs and guides clients through role-based embedded intelligence. This allows providers to predict market conditions and growth opportunities, integrate processes across their extended enterprises, and ensures scalability and the ability to adapt efficiently and deliver quickly in a rapidly changing environment.
Additionally, the recent acquisition by IBM of Cognos will dramatically increase capabilities available for providers in the area of health analytics, with early focus on performance management followed by increasing movement towards deeper clinical analytics.
IBM's Enterprise Health Analytics are a complete suite of services, infrastructure, and tools that can be tailored to the needs of any client-- from entry level, off-the-shelf analytics capabilities to custom-built data warehouses for academic and research settings. The solutions fill a significant void in data integration and intelligent analyses that currently poses a major barrier to trans-formation in the Healthcare Industry.
According to Dan Pelino, General Manager, IBM Global Healthcare & Life Sciences Industry, we have witnessed an explosion of data and complexity in the healthcare industry over the past two decades. Hospitals moved to adopt Electronic Medical Records. Technology vendors delivered proprietary applications that captured and integrated discrete data to improve clinical processes. This meets an urgent need to convert discrete data in ways that meet growing demands from employers, payers, consumers and governments to publicly report quality, clinical outcomes, cost of care and compliance to standards.
At present, most major provider organizations have adopted a variety of proprietary, disparate systems designed and optimized for transactional performance. These departmental and transactional systems inhibit providers from having an enterprise view and the ability to quickly respond to changes in the market, such as pay-for-performance and quality reporting. What they require is an integrated system that enables data aggregation and analysis, the results of which are applied in clinical and business settings to dramatically improve quality outcomes.
In such a dynamic environment, IBM’s Enterprise Health Analytics solutions can help meet providers’ needs and generate increased competitiveness by helping them leverage their data-rich environments, even where disparate systems exist, transforming the data into intelligent, high-value clinical, business and research information. IBM can also leverage its strategic partnerships; its leadership in business intelligence in multiple industries; its leadership in high-performance and energy-efficient computing; and the movement to open standards and architectures (SOA) to help provider clients easily and affordably address the dynamics of changing business priorities.
IBM’s Enterprise Health Analytics solutions will help providers:
• Efficiently report, trend and analyze key organizational, financial and clinical metrics to improve reporting compliance, competitively participate in pay-for-performance programs, and drive performance improvement
• Access information to manage and report the progression and impact of chronic diseases such as diabetes or stroke within a system, region or market
• Predict high-risk populations and begin early interventions for wellness management
• View and analyze aggregated, specific data sets by specific populations for cohort management, disease registries, clinical guidelines, and patient safety
• Prepare for evidence-based medicine, leading to the practice of personalized medicine.
IBM’s Enterprise Health Analytics transforms information through a simplified, streamlined and “intelligent” process that successfully integrates and aggregates disparate data from multiple sources for practical use. Data is transformed through a Business Intelligence Reference Architecture that transforms disparate data, making it available in a timely manner for analysis that can solve specific clinical, business and research problems.
Further, IBM’s Enterprise Health Analytics solutions are enabled by an agile, resilient and scalable infrastructure that informs and guides clients through role-based embedded intelligence. This allows providers to predict market conditions and growth opportunities, integrate processes across their extended enterprises, and ensures scalability and the ability to adapt efficiently and deliver quickly in a rapidly changing environment.
Additionally, the recent acquisition by IBM of Cognos will dramatically increase capabilities available for providers in the area of health analytics, with early focus on performance management followed by increasing movement towards deeper clinical analytics.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Agfa, Sun and ICW join Open eHealth Foundation, an Open Source initiative.
Open eHealth Foundation to Provide Solid Basis for Interoperability
Orlando/FL, February 26, 2008 –The Open eHealth Foundation announced that Agfa HealthCare, eHealth specialist InterComponentWare (ICW), and Sun Microsystems, Inc. have joined as foundation members of the new Open eHealth Foundation, an Open Source initiative. The Open eHealth Foundation will provide software components under an Open Source license that will boost the open standards-based exchange of medical information.
The eHealth market growth is driven by growing challenges to healthcare systems in industrialized societies, as well as new medical information and communication technologies. Recent research suggested that the eHealth industry has the potential of a global budget of 73 to 88 bn US$1. In order to capitalize on this huge market potential and to improve medical care, interoperability of electronic medical records and personal health records by different vendors is critical.
The founding members of the Open eHealth Foundation have recognized the necessity to:
The Open eHealth Foundation is open for additional members who want to participate in the joint effort of promoting an open, consensus-based healthcare industry forum. While the eHealth framework of the foundation is available for all interested parties, formal members of the foundation may actively participate in the future development of the strategy and roadmap of the initiative.
Three levels of membership are available: (1) Contributing members can add their components to the Open Source code base of the foundation; (2) Participating members can own projects in the foundation and are represented in the board through a fixed number of directors; and (3) Promoting members who have a high level of influence on the direction of the foundation due to their significant involvement. Membership negotiations with leading healthcare IT providers are currently underway.
According to Geert Claeys, Agfa HealthCare’s Technology Manager, “Quality and efficiency improvement of healthcare provision is hampered by a lack of a common open infrastructure, accessible for care providers, patients and other stakeholders. The foundation aims to tackle this need, offering the eHealth community the necessary foothold and opportunity to grow. This will, in turn, allow vendors to focus their efforts on delivering software applications that bring value to the end users.”
Additional information on the Open eHealth Foundation and possibilities for participation are available at www.openehealth.org
Orlando/FL, February 26, 2008 –The Open eHealth Foundation announced that Agfa HealthCare, eHealth specialist InterComponentWare (ICW), and Sun Microsystems, Inc. have joined as foundation members of the new Open eHealth Foundation, an Open Source initiative. The Open eHealth Foundation will provide software components under an Open Source license that will boost the open standards-based exchange of medical information.
The eHealth market growth is driven by growing challenges to healthcare systems in industrialized societies, as well as new medical information and communication technologies. Recent research suggested that the eHealth industry has the potential of a global budget of 73 to 88 bn US$1. In order to capitalize on this huge market potential and to improve medical care, interoperability of electronic medical records and personal health records by different vendors is critical.
The founding members of the Open eHealth Foundation have recognized the necessity to:
- Create a worldwide community-driven software development platform to speed up the digitization of the healthcare industry.
- Enable members and healthcare organizations to create compelling solutions based on existing global clinical and administrative standards, and increase interoperability with a wide array of third-party components and platforms.
The Open eHealth Foundation is open for additional members who want to participate in the joint effort of promoting an open, consensus-based healthcare industry forum. While the eHealth framework of the foundation is available for all interested parties, formal members of the foundation may actively participate in the future development of the strategy and roadmap of the initiative.
Three levels of membership are available: (1) Contributing members can add their components to the Open Source code base of the foundation; (2) Participating members can own projects in the foundation and are represented in the board through a fixed number of directors; and (3) Promoting members who have a high level of influence on the direction of the foundation due to their significant involvement. Membership negotiations with leading healthcare IT providers are currently underway.
According to Geert Claeys, Agfa HealthCare’s Technology Manager, “Quality and efficiency improvement of healthcare provision is hampered by a lack of a common open infrastructure, accessible for care providers, patients and other stakeholders. The foundation aims to tackle this need, offering the eHealth community the necessary foothold and opportunity to grow. This will, in turn, allow vendors to focus their efforts on delivering software applications that bring value to the end users.”
Additional information on the Open eHealth Foundation and possibilities for participation are available at www.openehealth.org
Neoteric Recognized for Protecting Infants at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center
Vancouver, BC — Feb. 25, 2008 — Neoteric Technology Ltd has been recognized as a winner of a 2008 MS-HUG (Microsoft Healthcare Users Group) Healthcare Innovation Award in the category of Delivery Transformation. The company was awarded its first-place prize yesterday at a ceremony held at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) conference in Orlando, FL.
Neoteric’s LacTrack® SafeLx solution was honored for preventing infant feeding errors at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Toronto. The LacTrack solution manages virtually every aspect of the milk administration process including collecting, tracking, ordering, preparing and feeding using wireless mobile computers and printers. Both the infants and the milk containers are positively identified at the bedside with two-dimensional (2D) barcodes, which are scanned throughout the process to ensure the right milk is given to the right baby.
According to Dorothy Dougherty, Lactation Consultant at Sunnybrook, “The LacTrack solution fundamentally changed the way we provide care to the vulnerable infants in our NICU, essentially this technology speaks for those patients that can’t speak for themselves.”
LacTrack is a suite of applications deployed on Motorola mobile computers with Microsoft’s Windows Mobile wirelessly connected to Microsoft Windows Server 2003 running Microsoft SQL Server 2005.
The MS-HUG Annual Awards recognize breakthrough contributions being made by healthcare organizations and individuals to drive efficiencies across the healthcare system – ultimately containing costs and improving the quality of patient care, as well as independent software vendor (ISV) solutions that demonstrate the best use of Microsoft technology to drive results in the healthcare industry.
Neoteric’s LacTrack® SafeLx solution was honored for preventing infant feeding errors at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Toronto. The LacTrack solution manages virtually every aspect of the milk administration process including collecting, tracking, ordering, preparing and feeding using wireless mobile computers and printers. Both the infants and the milk containers are positively identified at the bedside with two-dimensional (2D) barcodes, which are scanned throughout the process to ensure the right milk is given to the right baby.
According to Dorothy Dougherty, Lactation Consultant at Sunnybrook, “The LacTrack solution fundamentally changed the way we provide care to the vulnerable infants in our NICU, essentially this technology speaks for those patients that can’t speak for themselves.”
LacTrack is a suite of applications deployed on Motorola mobile computers with Microsoft’s Windows Mobile wirelessly connected to Microsoft Windows Server 2003 running Microsoft SQL Server 2005.
The MS-HUG Annual Awards recognize breakthrough contributions being made by healthcare organizations and individuals to drive efficiencies across the healthcare system – ultimately containing costs and improving the quality of patient care, as well as independent software vendor (ISV) solutions that demonstrate the best use of Microsoft technology to drive results in the healthcare industry.
Cerner Corporation and Hill-Rom Partner to Unify Hospital Care Delivery
Companies will connect intelligent hospital beds to the electronic medical record
ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cerner Corporation (Nasdaq: CERN) and Hill-Rom, an operating company of Hillenbrand Industries (NYSE: HB), announced today that they have formed a strategic relationship to integrate their technologies to improve and coordinate healthcare delivery, featuring Hill-Rom intelligent hospital beds that communicate directly with the Cerner Millennium(R) healthcare computing platform.
Efforts in the first stage of the partnership are focusing on the integration of Hill-Rom's intelligent bed systems, such as VersaCare(R) and TotalCare(R), with the Cerner Millennium system. Utilizing the Cerner CareAware(TM) global device connectivity architecture, the intelligent bed is able to feed data, including patient weight, bed rail position and head elevation, to the Cerner Millennium system. Access to real-time information and automation of labor-intensive tasks not only furthers safety initiatives, but also allows clinicians to spend more time with patients.
In addition, the relationship is expected to expand to integrate the Cerner CareAware architecture with other Hill-Rom IT solutions such as nurse call, asset management and NaviCare(R) Patient Flow. Likely integrations include Hill-Rom's asset management software and the Cerner CareAware architecture to provide an enhanced solution to a hospital's asset tracking needs - including asset tracking, utilization management and reduction of cross-contamination events. Integration with NaviCare Patient Flow and Nurse Call would complement the Cerner Smart Room, Cerner's solution to improve patient care and clinician efficiency through advanced technology, by providing clients with enhanced communication, real-time patient tracking and intelligent task management for clinical operations.
Both Cerner and Hill-Rom anticipate favorable responses from their clients to this endeavor. Cerner, with more than 6,000 clients worldwide, and Hill- Rom, with more than 250,000 intelligent beds and surfaces purchased since 1995, foresee a number of opportunities to integrate more closely each of their respective core and emerging businesses.
Cerner's partnership with Hill-Rom is representative of the changing nature of the healthcare business. As automation continues to increase in healthcare, so does the need to effectively manage the information generated by disparate medical devices. This partnership is one example of how the electronic medical record can incorporate data generated by medical devices.
In 2007, Cerner launched its Medical Device Certification Program, designed to facilitate the integration of information generated by medical devices into the EMR. A first of its kind in the industry, this program allows Cerner to work directly with medical device companies like Hill-Rom to develop drivers to seamlessly connect medical devices to the EMR.
Hill-Rom is a manufacturer and provider of medical technologies and related services for the healthcare industry, including patient support systems, non-invasive therapeutic products for a variety of acute and chronic medical conditions, medical equipment rentals, and workflow information technology solutions used by healthcare providers in hospitals, extended care facilities and home care settings.
Cerner is taking the paper chart out of healthcare, eliminating error, variance and waste in the care process. With more than 6,000 clients worldwide, Cerner is the leading supplier of healthcare information technology. The following are trademarks of Cerner: Cerner, Cerner's logo, CareAware and Cerner Millennium. (NASDAQ: CERN), www.cerner.com.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Survey Identifies Gap between What Technology and Services Consumers Expect and What’s Currently offered by Health Care Providers
ORLANDO, FL, Feb. 25, 2008 — A new survey from the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions, released today at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Annual Conference, found that consumers increasingly want access to technology and services that they are currently not receiving from their health care providers.
Greater access to medical information online is among the services in high demand. Nearly 80 percent of health care consumers are interested in having their physicians provide online access to medical records and test results; as many as one-fourth (26 percent) are willing to pay extra for these additional services.
More than 93 percent of consumers surveyed say they are not well prepared for future health care costs, making sensitivity to the cost for care increasingly important. Consumers are interested in using online tools to shop around to compare prices and the quality of care provided by their health care providers. They are interested in visiting physician (65 percent) and hospital (62 percent) Web sites to research the price of services offered. Consumers surveyed are also interested in visiting physician (67 percent) and hospital (64 percent) Web sites to research the quality of care offered.
The “2008 Survey of Health Care Consumers,” a representative poll of more than 3,000 Americans between the ages of 18 and 75, was conducted by theDeloitte Center
Today’s health care consumers are already seeking care in non-conventional settings. In the last 24 months, 21 percent have purchased prescription medication online or by mail; 37 percent say they might do so in the future. Sixteen percent have already used a retail clinic, and 34 percent say they might do so in the future.
Among other survey’s findings:
Greater access to medical information online is among the services in high demand. Nearly 80 percent of health care consumers are interested in having their physicians provide online access to medical records and test results; as many as one-fourth (26 percent) are willing to pay extra for these additional services.
More than 93 percent of consumers surveyed say they are not well prepared for future health care costs, making sensitivity to the cost for care increasingly important. Consumers are interested in using online tools to shop around to compare prices and the quality of care provided by their health care providers. They are interested in visiting physician (65 percent) and hospital (62 percent) Web sites to research the price of services offered. Consumers surveyed are also interested in visiting physician (67 percent) and hospital (64 percent) Web sites to research the quality of care offered.
The “2008 Survey of Health Care Consumers,” a representative poll of more than 3,000 Americans between the ages of 18 and 75, was conducted by the
Today’s health care consumers are already seeking care in non-conventional settings. In the last 24 months, 21 percent have purchased prescription medication online or by mail; 37 percent say they might do so in the future. Sixteen percent have already used a retail clinic, and 34 percent say they might do so in the future.
Among other survey’s findings:
- 3 out of 4 of consumers want their physicians to provide online access to an integrated medical record; 1 in 4 would pay more for this service
- More than 70 percent of consumers want their hospitals to provide online access to their medical record and test results; 1 in 4 would pay more for this service
- 1 in 4 consumers say they maintain some kind of personal health record; 46 percent would be willing to use a software program or Web site to create a personal health record
- 83 percent of consumers are interested in same-day appointments with their physicians; 1 in 4 (26 percent) would pay more for this service
- Nearly 3 out of 4 want physicians to provide online services to schedule appointments; 18 percent would pay more for this service
- 3 out of 4 of consumers are interested in e-mail access to their doctors; nearly 1 in 4 would pay more for this service
- 88 percent of consumers want expanded use of in-home monitoring devices and online tools that would reduce the need for visits and allow individuals to be more active in their care
In addition, the survey revealed the consumer health care market is not homogenous; key distinctions exist within different groups. An analysis of the data found that respondents fell into six discrete segments:
· “Content and compliant” consumers (29 percent) tend to prefer traditional approaches to care and accept what doctors recommend.
· “Sick and savvy” consumers (24 percent) tend to have at least one or more chronic condition and often prefer relying on themselves more than their doctors when making care-related decisions.
· “Online and onboard” consumers (8 percent) are high users of the health care system who use online tools and value-added services more than any other segment.
· “Shop and save” consumers (2 percent) are prone to switching doctors, treatments and health plans, and make changes to their insurance more often than the other segments and are most sensitive to prices of health care services.
· “Out and about” consumers (9 percent) use alternative approaches to treatment, consult alternative health care practitioners and substitute alternative therapies for prescription medications more than the other segments.
· “Casual and cautious” consumers (28 percent) tend to be younger and are healthier than the other segments, however are less insured and report being more financially unprepared for their future health care costs than the others.
La Region de la Capitale nationale de Quebec Selects MediSolution's Radiology Information System
MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Feb. 25, 2008) - MediSolution (TSX:MSH) announced today that it has signed a contract with the Region de la Capitale nationale de Quebec for the implementation of MediSolution's Radiology Information System. Specifically designed for hospitals, the integrated radiology management solution will be implemented over the next twelve months in six healthcare institutions located throughout the Region de la Capitale nationale de Quebec. The contract is expected to generate more than $0.75 million in revenue.
The Radiology Information System is a proven solution that supports a variety of healthcare services, including tertiary and highly-specialised services provided by hospital university centers to multi-vocational services provided by the CSSS throughout the area. In addition, the Radiology Information System can be integrated to other applications enabling organizations to optimize workflow and improve data integrity. The adoption of a global based solution ensures interoperability between the various sites located throughout the region.
"We are pleased that the Region de la Capitale nationale de Quebec is joining our growing base of Radiology Information System customers," said Paul Lepage, President and CEO at MediSolution. "The system can be easily adapted to the PACS solution which is currently being deployed within the region, and we will be working closely with all the individual sites to ensure the implementation is a success. The system will allow the Region de la Capitale nationale de Quebec to automate the flow of information, update patient files and ensure proper follow-up of clinical services."
MediSolution's Radiology Information System is an ideal choice for regions faced with complex environments, diverse needs and multiple sites located across a large geographic area.
About MediSolution
MediSolution (TSX:MSH), a Brookfield Asset Management company, is a leading healthcare and public sector information technology company, providing software, solutions and services to customers across North America. More than 500 hospitals and other healthcare facilities and close to 200 public sector and related organizations rely on MediSolution's systems to maximize their operational efficiencies, lower their costs, and improve the delivery of services. MediSolution has two operating segments. The Resource Management Systems segment is comprised of Financial Management software such as accounts receivable, budgeting and materials management as well as Human Capital Management tools including human resource management, staff scheduling and payroll processing. The Healthcare Information Systems segment is comprised of clinical solutions such as patient tracking, electronic patient health records, pharmacy, radiology and laboratory software for healthcare organizations.
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" regarding MediSolution's Radiology Information System and their contract with the Region de la Capitale nationale de Quebec. The words "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate" and other expressions which are predictions of or indicate future events and trends and which do not relate to historical matters identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known an unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements include failure to secure additional customer interest in the Radiology Information System, the products' failure to generate anticipated business efficiencies and value for the client and the cancellation of the contract with the Region de la Capitale nationale de Quebec.
The Radiology Information System is a proven solution that supports a variety of healthcare services, including tertiary and highly-specialised services provided by hospital university centers to multi-vocational services provided by the CSSS throughout the area. In addition, the Radiology Information System can be integrated to other applications enabling organizations to optimize workflow and improve data integrity. The adoption of a global based solution ensures interoperability between the various sites located throughout the region.
"We are pleased that the Region de la Capitale nationale de Quebec is joining our growing base of Radiology Information System customers," said Paul Lepage, President and CEO at MediSolution. "The system can be easily adapted to the PACS solution which is currently being deployed within the region, and we will be working closely with all the individual sites to ensure the implementation is a success. The system will allow the Region de la Capitale nationale de Quebec to automate the flow of information, update patient files and ensure proper follow-up of clinical services."
MediSolution's Radiology Information System is an ideal choice for regions faced with complex environments, diverse needs and multiple sites located across a large geographic area.
About MediSolution
MediSolution (TSX:MSH), a Brookfield Asset Management company, is a leading healthcare and public sector information technology company, providing software, solutions and services to customers across North America. More than 500 hospitals and other healthcare facilities and close to 200 public sector and related organizations rely on MediSolution's systems to maximize their operational efficiencies, lower their costs, and improve the delivery of services. MediSolution has two operating segments. The Resource Management Systems segment is comprised of Financial Management software such as accounts receivable, budgeting and materials management as well as Human Capital Management tools including human resource management, staff scheduling and payroll processing. The Healthcare Information Systems segment is comprised of clinical solutions such as patient tracking, electronic patient health records, pharmacy, radiology and laboratory software for healthcare organizations.
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" regarding MediSolution's Radiology Information System and their contract with the Region de la Capitale nationale de Quebec. The words "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate" and other expressions which are predictions of or indicate future events and trends and which do not relate to historical matters identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known an unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements include failure to secure additional customer interest in the Radiology Information System, the products' failure to generate anticipated business efficiencies and value for the client and the cancellation of the contract with the Region de la Capitale nationale de Quebec.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
MediSolution Ltd.: Leamington District Memorial Hospital Selects Virtuo Business Intelligence Solution to Monitor Key Performance Indicators
MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Feb. 20, 2008) - MediSolution Ltd. (TSX:MSH), today announced that Leamington District Memorial Hospital, has purchased MediSolution's Virtuo Business Intelligence (BI) enterprise solution. The Virtuo BI system will be implemented throughout the hospital's organization and will allow the management team to concurrently track performance and monitor trends across a number of clinical, financial and resource management systems. The solution will be implemented over the next 3 months.
Specifically designed for healthcare organizations, the Virtuo Business Intelligence solution turns data into web-based dashboards and scorecards allowing managers to track key performance indicators (KPIs) to quickly identify trends and implement appropriate action. Leamington District Memorial Hospital will use the system to monitor and report on 27 initial KPIs that have been specifically designed to track performance metrics for the Ontario Ministry of Health's performance scorecard. For example, current ratio, emergency room average length of stay, turnover rate, and readmission rate.
"We really appreciated the exceptional level of healthcare data management expertise offered by MediSolution" said Sarah Padfield, Vice President Corporate Services at Leamington District Memorial Hospital. "The solution allows us to maximize the investments we have already made in our existing Virtuo Financial Management and Virtuo Payroll systems, but also integrate and crossover data from other mission-critical systems we have in our infrastructure".
The Virtuo Business Intelligence solution will be deployed using Microsoft's BI solutions including Microsoft SQL Server 2005 and Office PerformancePoint Server 2007 (PPS). Gartner Research recently released its Magic Quadrant for Business Intelligence Platforms, 2008 and placed Microsoft ahead of the competition in terms of its ability to execute including the competitiveness and success of its BI goods and services, its viability and investment in BI and the execution of its sales and pricing. The Office PerformancePoint Server 2007 is an integrated performance management application with an intuitive user interface that is similar to other Microsoft Office tools and applications. This also allows users to effectively build new KPIs on their own or in conjunction with a certified partner, provided that the underlying data is well structured and organized.
"We are delighted to have Leamington District Memorial Hospital join our growing list of Business Intelligence customers," said Paul Lepage, President and Chief Executive Officer at MediSolution. "The combination of our unique data management expertise, being a Microsoft Certified Partner and using Microsoft Office PerformancePoint Server provides our customers with an exclusive scalable and user-friendly BI solution for the healthcare marketplace."
Specifically designed for healthcare organizations, the Virtuo Business Intelligence solution turns data into web-based dashboards and scorecards allowing managers to track key performance indicators (KPIs) to quickly identify trends and implement appropriate action. Leamington District Memorial Hospital will use the system to monitor and report on 27 initial KPIs that have been specifically designed to track performance metrics for the Ontario Ministry of Health's performance scorecard. For example, current ratio, emergency room average length of stay, turnover rate, and readmission rate.
"We really appreciated the exceptional level of healthcare data management expertise offered by MediSolution" said Sarah Padfield, Vice President Corporate Services at Leamington District Memorial Hospital. "The solution allows us to maximize the investments we have already made in our existing Virtuo Financial Management and Virtuo Payroll systems, but also integrate and crossover data from other mission-critical systems we have in our infrastructure".
The Virtuo Business Intelligence solution will be deployed using Microsoft's BI solutions including Microsoft SQL Server 2005 and Office PerformancePoint Server 2007 (PPS). Gartner Research recently released its Magic Quadrant for Business Intelligence Platforms, 2008 and placed Microsoft ahead of the competition in terms of its ability to execute including the competitiveness and success of its BI goods and services, its viability and investment in BI and the execution of its sales and pricing. The Office PerformancePoint Server 2007 is an integrated performance management application with an intuitive user interface that is similar to other Microsoft Office tools and applications. This also allows users to effectively build new KPIs on their own or in conjunction with a certified partner, provided that the underlying data is well structured and organized.
"We are delighted to have Leamington District Memorial Hospital join our growing list of Business Intelligence customers," said Paul Lepage, President and Chief Executive Officer at MediSolution. "The combination of our unique data management expertise, being a Microsoft Certified Partner and using Microsoft Office PerformancePoint Server provides our customers with an exclusive scalable and user-friendly BI solution for the healthcare marketplace."
Monday, February 11, 2008
CLINICARE and Barrie FHT Sign Largest EMR Contract in Canadian History
CALGARY, Alberta, February 12, 2008 – CLINICARE Corporation of Calgary announces that it has been selected by the Barrie and Community Family Health Team to implement their OntarioMD approved Clinical Management Solution (CMS).
CLINICARE will implement its Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and Practice Management Applications (PMA) solution to 60 physicians and additional healthcare providers at 35 different locations within the Barrie area starting next month.
Each practice will maintain their individual billing environments but share all other common elements such as patient scheduling, patient recalls, Electronic Medical Records, lab and medication data. Almost 350 workstations will connect securely through Ontario’s Smart Systems for Health Agency (SSHA).
“We are a diverse group of family physicians who were in agreement about networking and combining our patients into one server/database for EMR”, said Dr. Anne DuVall, lead physician for Barrie and Community FHT. “We have followed a long and diligent selection process. In addition to CLINICARE’s ability to accommodate the many styles of physician workflow within our team, it was important for us to choose a vendor that we felt confident could institute a project of this magnitude “.
“This is a proven deployment of a single patient record across many locations, with a powerful security model”, stated Dennis Niebergal, president & CEO of CLINICARE. “As with previous negotiations in Ontario, we have appreciated the involvement of Barrie’s OntarioMD advisors as a project management resource. Their expert advice helped eliminate confusion and reduced deficiencies ensuring a more successful implementation and better end result”.
CLINICARE’s solution supports physicians’ workflow and can be tailored to meet individual physician needs. It helps enhance patient care, improves patient safety and drives both physician and staff productivity.
About CLINICARE
CLINICARE Corporation (www.clinicare.com) has specialized in software development for the ambulatory physician market since 1984. CLINICARE is Canada’s leading provider of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and Practice Management Applications (PMA). CLINICARE’s EMR has been rated as one of the Top 2 EMRs in North America for the past 5 consecutive years by the prestigious IT consulting firm - KLAS Enterprises. CLINICARE has also been recognized in recent years by the Canadian Health Informatics Association by being bestowed the “Company of the Year”, “Corporate Citizen of the Year” and “Healthcare Transformation of the Year” Awards. CLINICARE is the only vendor to have received this recognition. CLINICARE is also one of the successful proponents to BC’s Physician Information Technology Office (PITO) initiative. CLINICARE has branch offices in the United States and Canada, with its Head Office in Calgary, Alberta.
For more information, contact:
Brent F. Mitchell, Marketing Manager, CLINICARE Corporation at(800) 563-0579 or marketing@clinicare.com
Eric Sutton, Executive Director, Barrie & Community FHT at (705) 725-4701 or esutton@bcfht.ca
Eric Sutton, Executive Director, Barrie & Community FHT at (705) 725-4701 or esutton@bcfht.ca
Monday, February 4, 2008
Brooklyn RHIO names IT vendor
Healthcare IT News
NEW YORK - The Brooklyn Health Information Exchange has chosen a healthcare IT vendor to implement its clinical portal and information exchange technology project. The HIE is scheduled to be operational by July 2008.
By Richard Pizzi, Associate Editor | 01/16/08 |
Organized by Maimonides Medical Center and other healthcare organizations in New York, the BHIX is a not-for-profit corporation that will offer health information exchange services in Brooklyn, New York's most populous borough.
BHIX will employ the services of MedPlus, the healthcare information technology subsidiary of Madison, N.J. -based Quest Diagnostics Inc. BHIX officials say the MedPlus system will enable physicians and other healthcare workers to collect, manage and share patient information in real time from Internet-enabled locations across the BHIX's 11 partner organizations.
"Technology can optimize patient care, minimize the risk of medical errors, and reduce administrative and other operating costs," said Pamela Brier, president of Maimonides Medical Center and chairwoman of the board of directors of the BHIX. "Our goal for the BHIX is to provide exceptional patient care and service through the strategic deployment of technology."
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
MEDEC TO LAUNCH NEW IMAGING SECTOR WITH INDUSTRY LEADER
PHILIPS HEALTHCARE TO JOIN MEDEC, THE NATIONAL MEDICAL DEVICE ASSOCIATION
Toronto (January 30, 2008) – In a move demonstrating industry stewardship, Philips Healthcare, a Canadian leader in medical imaging and patient monitoring systems, has joined MEDEC, the national industry association representing Canada’s medical device technology companies.
This move also marks the imminent launch of the MEDEC Imaging Sector, which will address issues that affect patient access to imaging technologies, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and computed tomography.
MEDEC already works with governments and other stakeholders to improve the health of Canadians in the areas of cardiac care, diabetes, vision care, orthopaedics and in-vitro diagnostics. The new Imaging Sector, triggered by Philips Healthcare’s membership with the association, will increase the scope and impact of MEDEC’s advocacy for patient access to medical technologies.
According to Philips Vice President, John Cieslowski, the company views membership with MEDEC as a way to expand interaction with clients beyond the traditional bounds of vendor and customer.
Philips Healthcare offers a portfolio of medical systems including best-in-class technologies in X-ray, cardiovascular, ultrasound, magnetic resonance, computed tomography, nuclear medicine, PET, radiation oncology systems, patient monitoring products and healthcare informatics -- designed to provide faster and more accurate diagnosis and treatment.
The Canadian headquarters is located in Markham, Ontario and employs more than 365 Canadians.
Toronto (January 30, 2008) – In a move demonstrating industry stewardship, Philips Healthcare, a Canadian leader in medical imaging and patient monitoring systems, has joined MEDEC, the national industry association representing Canada’s medical device technology companies.
This move also marks the imminent launch of the MEDEC Imaging Sector, which will address issues that affect patient access to imaging technologies, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and computed tomography.
MEDEC already works with governments and other stakeholders to improve the health of Canadians in the areas of cardiac care, diabetes, vision care, orthopaedics and in-vitro diagnostics. The new Imaging Sector, triggered by Philips Healthcare’s membership with the association, will increase the scope and impact of MEDEC’s advocacy for patient access to medical technologies.
According to Philips Vice President, John Cieslowski, the company views membership with MEDEC as a way to expand interaction with clients beyond the traditional bounds of vendor and customer.
Philips Healthcare offers a portfolio of medical systems including best-in-class technologies in X-ray, cardiovascular, ultrasound, magnetic resonance, computed tomography, nuclear medicine, PET, radiation oncology systems, patient monitoring products and healthcare informatics -- designed to provide faster and more accurate diagnosis and treatment.
The Canadian headquarters is located in Markham, Ontario and employs more than 365 Canadians.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Telehealth Up and Running in All Rural Yukon Communities
Whitehorse, January 17, 2008 - Health and Social Services Minister Brad Cathers today announced that all Yukon communities have improved health care services with the expansion of the Yukon Telehealth Network. Telehealth links patients from remote communities with clinicians at a distance through secure networks.
"Today, every Yukon community has the ability to link through the Yukon Telehealth Network to provide increased health services and supports within that community," Cathers said. "This is a true feat of technology. The contribution from Canada Health Infoway and the hard work of dedicated people over the past number of years ensured that today arrived."
The minister used the Diabetes Education Centre as a good example of how telehealth works.
"Individuals diagnosed with diabetes are not always able to travel to Whitehorse on a regular basis for training or support. The Diabetes Education Centre staff can connect with their clients in the communities through the telehealth network in the rural health centres to provide one-on-one sessions. This means that people don't have to leave their communities to get the services they need," Cathers added.
"Telehealth increases access to care for those from remote and isolated communities," Canada Health Infoway President and CEO Richard Alvarez said. "Today we are celebrating a real milestone for residents of all Yukon communities who, thanks to technology, now have increased access to much needed health care."
The Yukon Telehealth Network began in 2002. Old Crow, Dawson City, Mayo, Haines Junction, Watson Lake and Whitehorse were the initial communities; followed by Beaver Creek, Destruction Bay, Carmacks and Pelly Crossing. Communications technology has continued to improve where today telehealth can be implemented in all Yukon communities. This expansion has been accomplished by community nursing and information technology (IT) staff with funding from Canada Health Infoway.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Canadian First: Pharmacists and Physicians Exchanging Medical Data Stored In Patients' Electronic Medical Records
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, January 22, 2008 - Pharmacists in Sault Ste. Marie are Canada's first to access lab test results, allergies and other vital data from consenting patients' electronic medical records.
Working so collaboratively with primary care physicians at Group Health Centre means pharmacists now have accurate and comprehensive medical data on the patients they care for, which will help reduce adverse medical events.
"With access to GHC's electronic records, pharmacists in Sault Ste. Marie are now able to fully collaborate with physicians and the rest of the provider team and resolve drug-related issues more effectively and efficiently for their patients," said Ken Burns, pharmacist and chair of the Ontario Pharmacists' Association.
"The addition of pharmacists is a natural and long overdue component of the circle of care. This program enables me to make better use of the expertise provided by pharmacists, make more efficient use of my time and hopefully, provides a more convenient and effective patient experience," said Dr. Lewis O'Brien, Family Physician, Algoma District Medical Group, Physician Lead, EMRxtra Project.
Launched in August 2006 as a pilot project with 300 patients, EMRxtra is one of more than 240 initiatives across Canada that are uncovering efficiencies throughout the country's health care system by digitizing the information flow. These projects will also save money, help reduce the number of adverse medical events and improve patient safety.
EMRxtra is supported by a $2 million investment from Canada Health Infoway.
"To make the most of our health care system, we need to provide the tools clinicians need to deliver the care their patient deserve," said Richard Alvarez, President and CEO of Canada Health Infoway, the federally-funded, independent not-for-profit organization which invests with public sector partners to accelerate electronic health records across Canada. "As other industries have already proven, information technologies can provide a tremendous upside in terms of improving productivity and service delivery. While we're still in the early days of leveraging IT in our health care system here in Canada, the work that's being done in Group Health Centre stands as one of the country's 'shining lights'."
About Group Health Centre (GHC): A multidisciplinary, not-for-profit, community-based health organization serving over 60,000 primary care patients in Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District. Our vision is to provide leadership and achieve excellence in healthcare and wellness promotion in an atmosphere of caring and respect for the individual. GHC is home to one of the most technologically advanced physician group practices (The Algoma District Medical Group) in Canada with an electronic medical record (EMR) system implemented since 1997 and is considered as a primary care model across Canada. With the exception of the pharmacist, our multidisciplinary team is very comprehensive, including physicians, nurse practitioners, physiotherapists, chiropodists, dietitians, optometrists, audiologists and others.
Infoway negotiates preferred solution agreement with electronic health record (EHR) viewer provider
Toronto, January 11, 2008 - Canada Health Infoway (Infoway) today announced it has negotiated preferential conditions and pricing with Orion Health through a Preferred Solution Agreement for their ConcertoTM Physician Portal, an EHR viewer.
EHR viewers are secure web-based applications that integrate patient information from various sources into a single record, unique to each patient.
"We are making great progress towards the modernization of Canadian patients' health information and that means more and more clinical data is being captured and stored electronically," said Richard Alvarez, President and CEO of Canada Health Infoway, the federally-funded, independent not-for-profit organization which invests with public sector partners to accelerate electronic health records across Canada. "The EHR viewer is a vital tool for clinicians because it is the electronic gateway to the information clinicians rely on to make appropriate care decisions for their patients."
The Canada-wide agreement will help accelerate the implementation of electronic health records, making it simpler for provinces and territories to acquire a health record viewer solution.
An EHR viewer eliminates the need for health care practitioners to learn multiple computer interfaces and improves accuracy by bringing information from across numerous systems into one familiar screen that is customizable for each user's requirement. These systems have many benefits when implemented in a standards-based environment.
Infoway's Preferred Solution Agreements show that participating vendors like Orion have a deep understanding of the pan-Canadian EHR and the need to adopt established standards to ensure interoperability. While Infoway believes that these agreements offer significant value, the selection of specific vendors rests with the individual province or territory.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Pharmacist and Patient Access to Medical Records will Improve Healthcare in Sault Ste-Marie
Announced in August 9, 2006 this project is now reality -- on January 22, 2008
Hear and see what a local patient, physician and pharmacist have to say about EMRxtra (3 1/2 minute video.) Just Click here.
Through the Group Health Centre's Electronic Medical Record, healthcare providers will share information about patients with pharmacists. The Electronic Medical Record, established several years ago, has already been valuable in sharing information amongst healthcare providers and will now be extended to include pharmacists, in an initiative called EMRxtra. The information will be shared in a secure manner and will require patient consent.
"This project demonstrates how technology facilitates the rapid exchange of information," said federal Health Minister Tony Clement. "Our investments in Canada Health Infoway are harnessing the power of information technology to increase productivity, enhance safety, improve information sharing, and deliver better, more timely access to care for all Canadians, no matter where they live."
"We're pleased to help support this initiative which will not only help to improve the quality of care for patients of the Group Health Centre, but can also serve as a model for improving healthcare in Canada," said Richard Alvarez, Infoway's President and CEO. Infoway is investing $2 million in EMRxtra.
"The Group Health Centre is a well-known leader and pioneer in primary care delivery and in the utilization of technology by a multidisciplinary team. This innovative program will allow us to expand our existing circle of care to integrate pharmacists into our programs," said Group Health Centre's Interim COO Teresa D'Angelo.
With the permission of participating patients, pharmacists will be able to access patient drug profiles, current lab test results; clinical intent of prescribed medications and the patient's care plan.
Over 20 pharmacies will participate in EMRxtra, which includes 40 to 50 pharmacists. The project will first be used with a pilot group of several hundred patients and then be extended to all GHC 60,000 patients.
Pharmacists, who are considered to be trusted and accessible health care providers in the community, provide a significant contribution to primary care delivery particularly in the area of chronic disease and medication management. Studies have shown that pharmacist interventions in collaboration with physicians are very effective in cases of patients with chronic diseases.
"The addition of pharmacists is a natural and long overdue component of the circle of care. This program will enable me to make better use of the expertise provided by pharmacists, make more efficient use of my time and hopefully provide a more convenient and effective patient experience," said Dr. Lewis O'Brien, Family Physician, Algoma District Medical Group, Physician Lead, EMRxtra Project:
"With access to an electronic system, pharmacists in Sault Ste. Marie will be able to fully collaborate with physicians and the rest of the provider team and resolve drug related issues more effectively and efficiently for their patients," said Marc Kealey, CEO of the Ontario Pharmacists' Association.
This initiative will also provide patients with greater access to their individual Electronic Medical Record which includes a record of diagnoses and treatment, including medications. A personalized web-accessible patient record tool will enhance engagement of patients in the self-management and decision-making process.
ABOUT THE PARTNERS:
Infoway is an independent not-for-profit organization that invests with public sector partners across Canada to implement and reuse compatible health information systems which support a safer, more efficient healthcare system. These systems provide healthcare professionals with rapid access to complete and accurate patient information, enabling better decisions about treatment and diagnosis. The result is a sustainable, healthcare system offering improved quality, accessibility and productivity.
The Group Health Centre (GHC) is a multi-disciplinary, not-for-profit community-based health organization serving over 60,000 primary care patients in Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District. GHC has the vision to provide leadership and achieve excellence in healthcare and wellness promotion in an atmosphere of caring and respect for the individual. GHC is one of the most technologically advanced physician group practices (The Algoma District Medical Group) in Canada with an electronic medical record (EMR) system implemented since 1997 and is considered as a primary care model across Canada. With the exception of pharmacist service, which is provided indirectly through pharmacies in the community, GHC's multi-disciplinary team is very comprehensive, including physicians, nurse practitioners, physiotherapists, chiropodists, dietitians, optometrists, audiologists and others.
The Ontario Pharmacists' Association is the professional advocacy association representing the views and interests of over 10,000 practicing pharmacists and pharmacists-in-training, in Canada's largest province. OPA advocates for the quality care and well being of Ontarians. OPA recognizes the transformation agenda of Ontario and endorses the effective use of information technology as one of the key strategies to support integration, collaboration and professional services. It has also been an active promoter of EHR solutions and has been involved in various e-Health initiatives - Ontario Health Informatics Standards Council (OHISC), Client Registry and Information Management (CRIM), Secured Messaging Project from Smart Systems for Health Agency (SSHA) and others.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Telehealth Up and Running in All Rural Yukon Communities
Whitehorse, January 17, 2008 - Health and Social Services Minister Brad Cathers today announced that all Yukon communities have improved health care services with the expansion of the Yukon Telehealth Network. Telehealth links patients from remote communities with clinicians at a distance through secure networks.
"Today, every Yukon community has the ability to link through the Yukon Telehealth Network to provide increased health services and supports within that community," Cathers said. "This is a true feat of technology. The contribution from Canada Health Infoway and the hard work of dedicated people over the past number of years ensured that today arrived."
The minister used the Diabetes Education Centre as a good example of how telehealth works.
"Individuals diagnosed with diabetes are not always able to travel to Whitehorse on a regular basis for training or support. The Diabetes Education Centre staff can connect with their clients in the communities through the telehealth network in the rural health centres to provide one-on-one sessions. This means that people don't have to leave their communities to get the services they need," Cathers added.
"Telehealth increases access to care for those from remote and isolated communities," Canada Health Infoway President and CEO Richard Alvarez said. "Today we are celebrating a real milestone for residents of all Yukon communities who, thanks to technology, now have increased access to much needed health care."
The Yukon Telehealth Network began in 2002. Old Crow, Dawson City, Mayo, Haines Junction, Watson Lake and Whitehorse were the initial communities; followed by Beaver Creek, Destruction Bay, Carmacks and Pelly Crossing. Communications technology has continued to improve where today telehealth can be implemented in all Yukon communities. This expansion has been accomplished by community nursing and information technology (IT) staff with funding from Canada Health Infoway.
Hospitals and healthcare providers: Which Content Sources Do Consumers Prefer for Health Information
Hospitals and other healthcare provider organization should not take lightly their responsibility to provide the public information that is reliable..
Health data seekers slightly prefer traditional sources to online sources, but overall, Web sites are consumers' top choice for health information. Thirty-five percent of health information seekers said Web sites are their preferred source for health data, compared with 16% who prefer print magazines and 14% who prefer print newspapers. See: Which Content Sources Do Consumers Prefer for Health Information?
Health data seekers slightly prefer traditional sources to online sources, but overall, Web sites are consumers' top choice for health information. Thirty-five percent of health information seekers said Web sites are their preferred source for health data, compared with 16% who prefer print magazines and 14% who prefer print newspapers. See: Which Content Sources Do Consumers Prefer for Health Information?
Infoway Negotiates Canada-wide Preferred Solution Agreement with MedPlus, Inc. for Laboratory Information Systems
Toronto, January 17, 2008 - Canada Health Infoway (Infoway) today announced it has negotiated preferential conditions and pricing with MedPlus, Inc. through a national Preferred Solution Agreement for Laboratory Information Systems. MedPlus is the health care information technology subsidiary of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated. This Canada-wide agreement will help accelerate the implementation of laboratory information systems, which automate the flow of laboratory requisitions and results.
"Laboratory test results are vital because they provide health care professionals with the information they need to support decision-making and case management at the point of care. Yet for every 1,000 lab tests performed, up to 150 are wasteful duplicates when results are tracked on pieces of paper that can be misplaced," said Richard Alvarez, President and CEO of Canada Health Infoway, the federally-funded, independent not-for-profit organization which invests with public sector partners to accelerate electronic health records across Canada. "Implementation of electronic access to laboratory information will help reduce unnecessary duplicate tests and help speed diagnosis, resulting in quicker access to appropriate care."
"MedPlus is delighted to be Infoway's first laboratory information system Preferred Solution Provider. With over 120,000 physicians currently using the Care360TM system we are confident that Canadian health care providers will be pleased with the features and functionality of our user-friendly solution," said Richard Mahoney, President of MedPlus and Vice-president of Healthcare Information Solutions at Quest Diagnostics.
Laboratory information systems automate information flow, which allows authorized health care professionals - such as doctors and nurses - to spend less time tracking results manually and more time providing patient care. They also provide a secure, electronic view of a patient's test results regardless of where the original test was completed.
Through preferred solution agreements with participating vendors such as MedPlus, the Canadian health care system benefits from leveraging experts with a deep understanding of the pan-Canadian EHR and the country's need to adopt established standards to ensure interoperability. MedPlus (www.medplus.com) is the health care information technology subsidiary of Quest Diagnostics and a leading developer and integrator of clinical connectivity and health care information exchange solutions.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Dublin Methodist Hospital Opens as All-Digital Facility with McKesson Healthcare IT Systems
Patient safety and caregiver support get boost from Horizon Clinicals electronic health records
ATLANTA--(Business Wire)--McKesson, the world's largest healthcare services, automation and
information technology company, announced that Dublin Methodist
Hospital, part of OhioHealth, is opening today as one of the nation's
few all-digital, full-service community hospitals. McKesson worked
with the brand new 94-bed facility as it was being constructed to
implement a full electronic health records (EHR) system using the
Horizon Clinicals(R) suite, which supports more than 2 million
clinicians nationwide.
"As we open for patient care, we truly know what it means to have
McKesson 'in the room' with our caregivers," said Cheryl Herbert,
R.N., president of Dublin Methodist Hospital. "We designed information
technology into the building as an essential component of care and
committed early on to 100 percent system adoption by physicians,
nurses and the rest of the care team. This is in keeping with our
partnership in the Pebble Project, a national group of healthcare
organizations focused on following best practices in design that have
proven to enhance not only quality of care, the patient experience and
financial performance, but ultimately patient outcomes. We see
healthcare IT as a key enabler in helping us achieve these
objectives."
McKesson incorporated its technology within the framework of the
"high-tech, high-touch" approach to healthcare that Dublin Methodist
Hospital is bringing to its patients. Doctors, nurses and other
medical staff will have easy online access to patient information when
and where it is needed at the point of care. A computerized physician
order entry system supports doctors as they make decisions and place
patient orders. Caregivers can chart patient care at the bedside and
check to see what was done on the previous shift. Using bar-code
scanning technology, nurses will scan patients' arm bracelet IDs so
bar-coded medications can be scanned and compared, ensuring they get
the right dose of the right medication, at the right time, following
the right route.
"Everything that McKesson has implemented in this hospital is
designed to meet the changing needs of patients and to improve their
experience," said Mrunal Shah, M.D., vice president of Physician IT
Services for Dublin Methodist Hospital. "This is not just a few extra
products to reduce paperwork, but a full digital infrastructure. The
most important part is that everything is clincally integrated so we
can easily find the information we need. The connectivity allows
doctors to treat patients in the hospital, in their office or at home,
and allows for more time for the clinician to spend with the patient."
Through its involvement in the Pebble Project, a research effort
led by The Center for Health Design, a nonprofit research and advocacy
organization, Dublin Methodist Hospital also focuses on the softer
side of care.
-- The hospital features all private rooms that are big enough
for patients, families and caregivers to help reduce stress,
reduce the chance of infection and improve confidentiality.
-- All rooms are designed and laid out exactly the same way.
What's on the left in one room will be on the left in the next
room, reducing patient care errors.
-- The hospital's interior courtyards allow natural light to
reach nearly 90 percent of all spaces, and the facility also
boasts rooftop gardens, a waterfall and trees in the lobby.
-- Staff work stations are decentralized and open to bring
caregivers closer to their patients.
Herbert noted that the softer side needs technology to be a fully
integrated experience. McKesson products include tracking boards in
the emergency department to advise caregivers of patient status,
leading to greater efficiency and shorter wait times. A centralized
scheduling system enables more efficient use of equipment, staff time
and facilities, while a surgical management system aids in automating
operating room processes. Using McKesson's RelayHealth(R) network, the
hospital can electronically process patient bills and insurance
claims, while also enabling patients to review their statements and
manage their accounts online. And McKesson's analytical tools will
enable the executive team and managers to make ongoing improvements in
clinical, financial and operational performance.
"The system that McKesson has developed for Dublin Methodist
Hospital is the future of healthcare happening right in front of us,"
said Thomas Harmon M.D., medical staff president for Dublin Methodist
Hospital. "The products are focused on improving patient care at every
level and are very intuitive. This is not technology for technology's
sake - it is making us better doctors."
"McKesson is proud to partner with OhioHealth and the team at
Dublin Methodist Hospital as they open one of the most advanced
hospitals in the country," said Sunny Sanyal, chief operating officer,
McKesson Provider Technologies. "Their vision for safe, connected
healthcare is inspiring, and we look forward to supporting them as
they pursue clinical excellence and enhanced patient outcomes."
About OhioHealth
Dublin Methodist Hospital is a part of OhioHealth, a nationally
recognized, not-for-profit, charitable healthcare organization serving
and supported by the community. Named by FORTUNE Magazine as one of
the "100 Best Companies To Work For in 2007," it is a family of 15
hospitals, 20 health and surgery centers, home-health providers,
medical equipment and health service suppliers throughout a 46-county
area. Other OhioHealth hospitals in central Ohio are Riverside
Methodist Hospital, Grant Medical Center, Doctors Hospital and Grady
Memorial Hospital. For more information, please visit our Web site at
www.ohiohealth.com.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
New Database Collects Data and Provides a Roadmap to the Decision Makers and Opportunities in the Canadian Health IT Market
Branham Group, Courtyard Group, and Longwoods Publishing Partner with
HIMSS Analytics to Deliver HIMSS Analytics Canadian Database(SM)
HIMSS Analytics to Deliver HIMSS Analytics Canadian Database(SM)
CHICAGO, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- HIMSS Analytics, known for its
healthcare information technology market research efforts in the U.S.,
Australia, and Europe, has partnered with Branham Group as the exclusive
reseller in Canada for its new Web-based database to expand industry knowledge
about the Canadian healthcare IT market. Additionally, HIMSS Analytics is
working with Courtyard Group, a well-respected consulting firm among Canadian
healthcare provider organizations to assist with expert analysis and research
opportunities using Canadian health IT data. HIMSS Analytics has also agreed
to provide Longwoods Publishing's editors and authors access to its healthcare
information from Canada as well as the United States and elsewhere. These
resources will allow for the analysis of comparable multi-country health IT
data to glean best practices. HIMSS Analytics and Courtyard Group experts will
support and participate in the Longwoods editorial program and so share their
insights and expertise more widely.
(LOGO: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060801/CGTU009LOGO-a )
Understanding the Canadian health information technology market demands
access to credible and current information, data available in the HIMSS
Analytics Canadian Database. "This unique product provides extensive and
strategic information about the Canadian healthcare IT market," said Wayne
Gudbranson, president and CEO of Branham Group Inc. "It is an interactive
tool that is constantly updated so that providers, vendors or anyone
interested in this market can understand and stay on top of market trends."
Reported at the hospital and Regional Health Authority levels, the
information in the database includes market share data for more than 130
software applications and technologies. The key contact information appears
at the hospital, Regional Health Authority, or provincial levels. Market
segmentation, sizing statistics, and software and hardware purchasing plan
information also offer users additional data relevant to understanding and
working in the Canadian market.
The comprehensive HIMSS Analytics Canadian Database simplifies the search
for relevant data with several interactive tools, including:
-- Standard downloadable reports help users understand market share,
purchasing plans, and outsourcing, consulting and sales opportunities. The
reports provide an extensive review of the market including PACS, ambulatory
and wireless data.
-- Search capabilities let users evaluate the current IT environment of
facilities or healthcare systems in the database with data downloadable in a
PDF or HTML format.
-- An ad hoc query/report writer function simplifies user-defined queries
with details downloadable to a spreadsheet format.
-- Ongoing customer support provided to every user.
HIMSS Analytics collected IT-related information for Canadian hospitals,
data similar to what has been collected on U.S. hospitals and now populates
the HIMSS Analytics Database (derived from the Dorenfest IHDS+ Databas(TM)).
Technology adoption in Canadian healthcare organizations is tracked by
collecting information on hospital demographics, use and implementation of IT
products and services, and buying trends in software and hardware
applications.
Used to compare Canadian hospitals among themselves, the data also
compares these hospitals to U.S. hospital peers using the HIMSS Analytics
Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model(SM). This unique tool objectively
measures a healthcare organization's progress toward electronic patient record
implementation.
Visit http://www.himssanalytics.org/docs/stage6whitepaper.pdf for more
information on the HIMSS Analytics EMR Adoption Model.
Canadian organizations interested in the database can contact
ehealth@branhamgroup.com to reach the Branham Group, the exclusive reseller in
Canada.
About HIMSS Analytics: HIMSS Analytics is a wholly owned not-for-profit
subsidiary of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society
(HIMSS). The company collects and analyzes healthcare information related to
IT processes and environments, products, IS department composition and costs,
IS department management metrics, healthcare trends and purchase-related
decisions. HIMSS Analytics delivers high quality products, services and
analytical expertise to healthcare delivery organizations, healthcare IT
companies, state governments, financial companies, pharmaceutical companies,
and consulting firms. Visit www.himssanalytics.org for more information.
About The Branham Group: Based in Ottawa, Canada, Branham Group Inc.
(www.branhamgroup.com) is a market research and management consulting company
serving the global information technology market and industry. Branham Group
assists information technology companies and related institutions in achieving
market success through its planning, marketing and partnering services, and
through the delivery of unique multi-client research programs. Branham has a
strong heritage of providing timely market research and analysis on the
deployment of information technology products and services. Pursuant to this
focus Branham annually produces the most comprehensive "benchmark" study of
ICT utilization in the Canadian Healthcare market entitled "eHealth in
Canada."
About Courtyard Group: Courtyard Group is a healthcare transformation
company. We are 150 consultants strong, operating across Canada, the US and
the UK. We have a singular, unwavering focus on delivering practical,
concrete results across international healthcare environments. We are
dedicated to our clients and do whatever it takes to enable their success.
About Longwoods Publishing Corporation: Longwoods publishes
administrative, academic and scientific research reports as well as commentary
and information related to health sciences and health care. The authors,
editors and editorial advisors are committed to providing timely, accurate and
comparable information. Published reports and learning programs inform health
policies, support the effective delivery of health services and raise
awareness of the factors that contribute to good health. Global collaboration
and cooperation is designed to share information to enable improved delivery
of care for everyone, everywhere.
CONTACT: Joyce Lofstrom of HIMSS, +1-312-915-9237, jlofstrom@himss.org
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