Pulse+IT Magazine - July 2011

Australia’s First and Only Health IT Magazine

PULSE IT 

Issue

July

23 2011

Medical Devices Beyond the initial PCEHR deployment Ilan Freedman outlines the likely evolution of Australia’s Shared Electronic Health Record.

National E-Health Transition Authority update NEHTA report on the launch of ACT Health’s new supply chain management system.

Procurement responsibility Dr Geoffrey Sayer cautions against the use of unproven suppliers for the development of the PCEHR ecosystem.

Integrating medical devices in general practice Practices can streamline their record keeping by linking their clinical software to their medical devices.

QR codes in healthcare Dr Bilaji Bikshandi outlines a modern barcode system and discusses its potential applications in healthcare.

Remote monitoring technologies help patient care Anne Trimmer explains how medical devices can assist in the provision of healthcare in the home.

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11 12 14 16 19 20 20

NPS releases electronic prescribing study HIC2011 coming to Brisbane in August Telehealth MBS item numbers commence HIMSS Asia Pac coming to Melbourne iSOFT debuts Mobility Suite at Cabrini Health HLA to host eHealth focused day Out of Pocket calculator prepared for launch

Kelvin’s eHealth Journey

1

3

Greeted by medical centre receptionist Lucy Black, the receptionist is logged into her computer and Kelvin is then added to the waiting list by Lucy.

Kelvin is on holiday in far North Queensland Kelvin lives in Croydon, Victoria with his wife Betty. He is reasonably healthy, only suffering from hypertension that is well controlled with medication. He has an allergy to Penicillin. Over a period of three weeks he develops cramps and pain in his abdomen when he eats fatty food.

Kelvin’s IHI number is retrieved from the HI service electronically and seamlessly added to the local practice record. Kelvin takes a seat in the waiting room.

He is under the care of Dr Adam Jones at his local GP Practice.

2

GP consultation

4

Dr Grant opens Kelvin’s medical record on his PC which now also includes his Healthcare Identifier. Kelvin complains to Dr Grant of cramps in his stomach, especially after eating pizza and fish and chips which he has suffered from for about three weeks.

Kelvin presents to a medical centre While on holidays his condition gets worse and he presents to a medical centre in the town he is staying.

National E-Health Transition Authority

Dr Grant performs an examination and makes a provisional diagnosis of gallstones. He then orders an ultrasound which confirms the presence of gallstones.

After discussing with Kelvin, Dr Grant refers to a General Surgeon: Dr James Brecker at Bay Hill Hospital. The referral is sent electronically via secure messaging.

Kelvin’s eHealth Journey is brought to you by the National E-Health Transition Authority (NEHTA).

NEHTA is the lead organisation supporting the national vision for eHealth in Australia.

7 5

Specialist consultation

Pharmacy Kelvin takes his prescription from Dr Brecker to a Community Pharmacy. The pharmacist scans the prescription barcode. The prescription is retrieved from the PES (Prescription Exchange Service) and dispensed.

8

Dr James Brecker receives the e-referral. Frank is booked in for an appointment by his GP’s staff.

Dr Brecker reviews Kelvin’s ultrasound, performs an examination and determines that Kelvin needs surgery to remove the gallstones.

6

Pathology As per the recommendations on Kelvin’s discharge summary, he has a follow-up blood test for liver function done on the day he is to return home from holiday. The GP has requested that the pathology test results be copied to Kelvin’s usual GP.

Admission to hospital for surgery Kelvin is admitted to the General Surgery ward.

Kelvin then undergoes surgery by Dr Brecker, and he makes an uneventful recovery. Kelvin is discharged three days later, much improved and is referred back to his GP for follow up. An e-discharge summary is sent to Dr Adam Jones, his local GP.

For more information about NEHTA visit www.nehta.gov.au For more information about eHealth including the Healthcare Identifier (HI) Service visit www.ehealthinfo.gov.au

9 Returns from holiday Kelvin goes home without receiving his results but on his return home he goes to his usual GP who has received the blood test results and a copy of the discharge summary.

After consultation with Kelvin, Dr Jones confirms that the blood tests are normal.

What a wonderful outcome!

PULSE IT +

Publisher Pulse Magazine PO Box 243 Gundagai NSW 2722 Australia ABN: 19 923 710 562 www.pulseitmagazine.com.au

Editor Simon James Australia: +61 2 8006 5185 New Zealand: +64 9 889 3185 simon.james@pulseitmagazine.com.au

Subscription Enquiries subscribe@pulseitmagazine.com.au

Advertising Enquiries ads@pulseitmagazine.com.au

About Pulse+IT Pulse+IT is Australia’s first and only Health IT magazine.

With an international distribution exceeding 37,000 copies, it is also one of the highest circulating health publications in Australasia. 32,000 copies of Pulse+IT are distributed to GPs, specialists, practice managers and the IT professionals that support them. In addition, over 5,000 copies of Pulse+IT are distributed to health information managers, health informaticians, and IT decision makers in hospitals, day surgeries and aged care facilities.

Pages 29, 32, 36 MEDICAL DEVICES

Looking ahead The next three editions of Pulse+IT will feature a selection of articles covering the following themes: • September 2011 - Consumer eHealth • November 2011 - Electronic Prescribing • March 2012 - TBC Pulse+IT welcomes feature articles and guest editorial submissions relating to these themes, as well as articles relating to eHealth more broadly.

Submission guidelines and deadlines are available online: http://www.pulseitmagazine.com.au/editorial

ISSN: 1835-1522 Contributors Dr Balaji Bikshandi, Ilan Freedman, Simon James, Dr Jonathan Leviss, Dr Geoffrey Sayer, Cara Sayer-Bourne, Alberto Tinazzi and Anne Trimmer.

Disclaimer The views contained herein are not necessarily the views of Pulse Magazine or its staff. The content of any advertising or promotional material contained herein is not endorsed by the publisher. While care has been taken in the preparation of this magazine, the publisher cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the information herein, or any consequences arising from it. Pulse Magazine has no affiliation with any organisation, including, but not limited to Health Services Australia, Sony, Health Scope, UBM Medica, the New Zealand College of General Practitioners, or the Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Council, all who produce publications that include the word “Pulse” in their titles.

Copyright 2011 Pulse Magazine No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored electronically or transmitted in any form by any means without the prior written permission of the Publisher.

Subscription Rates Please visit our website for more information about subscribing to Pulse+IT.

Pulse+IT acknowledges the support of the following organisations, each of whom supply copies of Pulse+IT to their members.

Page 29 GENERAL PRACTICE

Page 32 QR CODES IN HEALTHCARE

Page 36 MEDICAL DEVICES IN THE HOME

Editorials

Features

News

Page 6 STARTUP Editor Simon James introduces the 23rd edition of Pulse+IT.

Page 29 FEATURE ARTICLE Simon James demonstrates how practices can streamline their record keeping by linking their clinical software to their medical devices.

Page 11 NPS releases electronic prescribing systems study

Page 8 GUEST EDITORIAL Ilan Freedman outlines the likely evolution of Australia’s Shared Electronic Health Record.

Page 23 NEHTA The National E-Health Transition Authority report on the launch of ACT Health’s new supply chain management system.

Page 24 MSIA Dr Geoffrey Sayer cautions against the use of unproven suppliers for the development of the PCEHR ecosystem.

Resources Page 26 EVENTS CALENDAR Up and coming Health IT, Health, and IT events.

Page 45 MARKET PLACE The Pulse+IT Directory profiles Australasia’s most innovative and influential eHealth organisations.

Page 32 FEATURE ARTICLE Dr Balaji Bikshandi outlines a modern barcode system and discusses its potential applications in healthcare.

Page 36 FEATURE ARTICLE Anne Trimmer explains how medical devices can assist in the provision of healthcare in the home.

Off Topic Page 38 FEATURE ARTICLE Dr Jonathan Leviss provides a detailed article on identity and access management in healthcare settings.

Page 42 FEATURE ARTICLE As mobile devices proliferate, Alberto Tinazzi provides advice for users seeking to protect themselves from security pitfalls

Immunisation rates boosted by text messaging initiative Page 12 HIC2011 and associated events coming to Brisbane in August Page 14 Clintel Systems announces distribution agreement Video conferencing telehealth MBS item numbers precede guidelines Page 16 HIMSS Asia Pac event coming to Melbourne in September Page 19 iSOFT debuts Mobility Suite for iPad at Cabrini Health Global Health forms strategic alliance with Gemini Consulting Page 20 HLA to host eHealth focused professional development day Direct Control’s Out-Of-Pocket calculator prepared for launch

EDITORIAL

Pulse+IT: 2011.3 Simon James

BIT, BComm Editor, Pulse+IT Phone (AU): +61 2 8006 5185 Phone (NZ): +64 9 889 3185 simon.james@pulseitmagazine.com.au

Welcome to the 23rd edition of Pulse+IT, Australia’s

to be settled. Fortunately the RACGP is working to

first and only Health IT magazine.

develop clinical guidelines and educational collateral

The release of this edition coincides with changes

to support practices, with NEHTA tasked to assist with

to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS), which for

the development of guidelines relating to the more

the first time — at least as far as the vast majority of

technical aspects of the telehealth arrangements.

practices will be concerned — now allows patients to

claim rebates for consultations performed using video

technical guidelines will likely match the current state

conferencing technology.

of the MBS, one hopes that consideration is given to

The changes to the MBS have been received

the possible types of interaction patients and doctors

positively in many quarters and are seen as a step in

may wish to undertake in the near future. For example

the right direction, particularly for patients in rural

the mandating of video conferencing solutions that

and regional Australia who may be able to reduce their

cost tens of thousands of dollars at this time would

need to travel potentially large distances to consult

limit the chance of consumers being able to consult

with specialists in major metropolitan centres.

with a GP or specialist using their own commodity

However

this

reform

will

not

only

have

for practices in rural and remote areas. In fact many

absence of technical and clinical guidelines might

patients served by general practices in the outer‑ring

not be considered ideal, however it does provide

suburbs of Australia’s sprawling capital cities may soon

medical practices with some time to experiment and

be able to attend general practices offering telehealth

innovate before committing to what may be very

consultations with specialists. Perversely perhaps

large infrastructure purchases. The intervening period

— and in direct contravention to the intent of the

also affords practices an opportunity to consider how

telehealth funding — such specialists may be located

video consultations may work from an organisational

in very close proximity to both the patient’s residence

workflow perspective, a process that can be conducted

and the general practice the patient is attending.

irrespective of what the ultimate technological and

clinical guidance ends up looking like.

The likelihood of such scenarios coming to

The arrival of the MBS item numbers in the

pass in the near term are minimal however, if only

because of the uncertainty related to the clinical and

conferencing appointments? If so, which specialist or

technical standards that both specialists and general

general practices will we attempt to coordinate these

practitioners will need to adhere to.

sessions with? In which room or rooms will we install

the technical infrastructure? How will we promote the

Many of the questions fielded by the author in

Is it feasible to block out a day or a session for video

relation to the telehealth initiative have related to

availability of such services to patients?

technical matters, generally revolving around the

requirements for hardware, software and networking

and practices and patients explore the new possibilities,

capacity.

let us hope that the efficient delivery of quality

patient care does not become overtaken by technical,

Is Skype good enough? Do I need the NBN? Do

specialists are offering video consultations? Do I need

As awareness of new telehealth opportunities grow

organisational and administrative complexities.

to use the same technology as the doctor I’m planning

Looking ahead

to co-consult with?

To be compiled following the consumer health related

Health Beyond event in August, the next edition of

At the time of writing it is impossible to answer

these questions with any certainty as much remains

Pulse+IT

hardware from their home at some point in the future.

ramifications for rural and remote patients, nor only

I need to record the session? How do I know which

6

While the immediate focus of these clinical and

Pulse+IT will focus on Consumer eHealth.

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australia’s premier & largest e-health conference

hic

1 - 4 august

brisbane

2011

the transformative power of innovation www.hisa.org.au/hic2011

EDITORIAL

Shared EHRs: Beyond initial deployment Ilan Freedman

Vice President Asia-Pacific dbMotion ilan@dbmotion.com

Over the last few years, the healthcare system —

Middle East, we anticipate several likely next stages of

including the federal government, state jurisdictions,

progression.

media, technology companies and the general public — have jointly placed a major emphasis on eHealth

Building out the EHR

initiatives. While various models and strategies are still

First, as with every Shared EHR, we will see growth of

being discussed and debated, there is a core principle

its reach. To understand this we need to recognise that

upon which most in the healthcare industry can agree:

PCEHR is simply the federal piece of this equation; it is

That stakeholders along the entire care continuum

not the national silver bullet. Multiple jurisdictional (or

need readily accessible, patient-centric clinical data

Local Health Network, or Area Health Service or be the

that transcends systems and geography.

organisations what it may) Shared EHRs will need to

The ongoing debate around the exact design and

gather information from a variety of locations, including

priorities of the Personally Controlled Electronic Health

hospitals, clinics, specialist offices, laboratories,

Record (PCEHR), which was well articulated by the likes

pharmacies and other sources, and interface with the

of Medical Software Industry Association, the National

PCEHR. By doing so, they will serve both to provide

E-Health Transition Authority and HealthLink in the

access to integrated patient information from sources

previous edition of this very magazine, is a critical step

within the jurisdiction together with PCEHR-provided

towards finding the golden path — the EHR approach

information, and as conformant repositories for the

suitable for Australian patients and providers alike.

PCEHR. Building out these conformant repositories will

In this article I will try to look beyond this area of

enable greater volumes of data from a wider range of

discussion and share some perspective on things to

sources and, more importantly, make meaningful use

come. This view will encompass what we have seen

of this information in care delivery.

happening when the rubber hits the road as Shared

EHRs projects are deployed, and what becomes of

is semantically harmonised, i.e. that data originating

them as they inevitably progress to their second and

from a hospital clinic in Victoria can be integrated with

third release.

data about the same patient generated by a hospital

So if we close our eyes for a moment and imagine

in Queensland, and that the meaning of that data is

the fully functional PCEHR as described in the concept

understood by its recipient — human or machine. This

of operations, we should ask ourselves, “What’s next?

could theoretically be achieved by forcing everyone

Will the PCEHR be sufficient as-is?”

to standardise their coding and clinical nomenclature.

Applying the experience gained from Shared EHR

Realistically however, this will take generations.

implementation in the US, Canada, Europe and the

A more practical approach usually entails building

One key to this success is ensuring that data Shared

Author Info

Shared EHRs that offer semantic interoperability Ilan Freedman, a member of dbMotion’s executive management team since the company’s spin-off from Ness Technologies in early 2004, heads dbMotion’s Asia-Pacific expansion and operations. dbMotion is a focused on developing and delivering Shared EHR and health information exchange (HIE) solutions. The company’s products have been selected by states, regions and healthcare organisations in the US, Canada, Europe and Israel.

and can accommodate a plurality of nomenclatures, making sense of the incoming data while preserving the original meaning of the information to ensure its integrity in the host system.

Healthcare providers will be much better equipped

to impact a patient’s care when they have the capability to review harmonised, patient-specific data

8

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via a Shared EHR platform, PCEHR or other. As such,

clinician’s workflow without requiring EMR vendors to

the use of mobile devices including smartphones and

actively enable the integration.

tablets must be supported and encouraged as long as the appropriate measures are taken to secure the data.

Secure, Secondary Data Use

In fact, one health system we’ve worked with in the US

Perhaps the greatest area of variability across Shared

is currently leveraging its Shared EHR platform to deliver

EHR deployments is how they ultimately ensure that

data to clinicians on BlackBerry smartphone devices.

medical data is highly secure, yet available and useable

Clinicians are afforded a single, comprehensive view of

by authorised individuals. Technology exists today to lock

patient data — allergies, medications, lab results and

individual health information tightly away in databases.

physician notes for example — critical to the medical

A strategic combination of secure yet accessible

decision-making process.

technologies and strong policy guiding who has access to the information must be in place before any Shared EHR

The Workflow Conundrum

solution is deployed. This commitment enables greater

The second area of challenge and growth for Shared

control over whom has access to which data sets and

EHRs comes in the form of the need for data to be

under what circumstances.

integrated within all stakeholders’ familiar workflows.

Notably, these solutions must ensure clinicians and

information to patients in a secure and appropriate

other users need not exit day-to-day workflows

environment — the tenets of the PCEHR — promise to

and applications. Providers seek finger-tip access to

create a consumer-friendly atmosphere in which patients

comprehensive information, and baulk at adopting

have greater control over decisions related to their care.

technologies that require they open and close multiple

programs to get the information they need.

the extraction and use of de-identified information to

Some

solution

vendors

are

partnering

When this is achieved, opportunities to provide

The Shared EHR platform should also facilitate

with

be used to advance the health of populations and the

third‑party EMR providers to develop strategies by

community as a whole — including for research into

which data is integrated into clinical workflow to ensure

care plans and treatments that exhibit greatest value —

clinicians have the right information delivered to them

and analytics to measure efficacy and outcomes. When

to properly handle the immediate episode of care.

rolled up to an organisational level or beyond, healthcare

Furthermore, these caregivers must have the ability to

leaders will be able to view medical trends, and apply the

drill into greater detail on the patient when necessary by

knowledge to managing diseases and overall population

accessing information from a variety of clinical or other

health.

systems as the situation demands.

Without semantic interoperability, clinicians would

Conclusion

likely find themselves wasting time searching for data in

With Shared EHRs, healthcare consumers and providers

disparate information systems that incorporate various

will have access to relevant and timely data where and

workflows and presentation formats. And once they have

when it’s needed to drive informed medical decisions.

the information in hand, they must still interpret data

As these solutions are deployed they typically gain

that was likely compiled over a period of time and by

considerable uptake, and in turn create broader demand

many different individuals, resulting in values that aren’t

for increased reach (both data sources and outputs)

aligned. EMRs of the future will thus likely incorporate

and increased integration into clinicians’ workflows.

EHR-aggregated data directly into users’ preferred

Future stakeholders realise that by creating secure yet

workflows without them being aware of ‘vendor

ubiquitously integrated information, they have the

dependencies’.

potential to make use of this information for applications

Having said that, the road to getting the various

that could only be dreamt of in the past. That’s where

EMR vendors to play ball is largely bumpy and unpaved.

real challenges will lie in term of medico‑legal and ethical

As a result, Shared EHR vendors like ourselves need and

considerations. But we have a few years to prepare for

have begun to develop tools to get the EHR data into the

that debate. It’ll be interesting, I can tell you that much.

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Pulse+IT

9

BITS & BYTES

NPS releases electronic prescribing systems study

Immunisation rates boosted by text messaging initiative Immunisation rates are improving for Maori enrolled in Te Manu Trust’s General Practice

The National Prescribing Service (NPS) has

clinical decisions and prescribing safety

clinics in the Bay of Plenty and Raukura

outlined a number of recommendations to

and

Hauora O Tainui in North Waikato, assisted

enhance the quality, safety and usefulness

drug‑condition

of general practice prescribing software,

a suitably formatted medicine list for

TXT2Remind system.

with these findings released in their

patients.

‘Evaluation of Prescribing Systems study’.

messaging system assists primary and

quality,

including

drug

dosage,

contraindications

and

When asked what NPS hopes will come

by the introduction of Vensa Health’s The

‘Txt2Remind’

According to the NPS report, “there

from the study, Chief Executive Officer

secondary

is currently no clear guidance available in

of NPS, Dr Lynn Weekes explained, “We

mobile phone text message appointment

Australia about the features of electronic

would like to see clinical software systems

reminders and health promotion messages.

prescribing systems that support patient

used by doctors in day-to-day practice

The system is used by 500 GP surgeries

safety and the delivery of quality care in

meet key quality and safety criteria.

and throughout a number of New Zealand

the general practice setting”.

Australia has one of the highest rates of

District Health Boards.

The study, carried out between 2006

computerisation in general practice in the

and 2009 by a twelve-member expert

world, yet until now key safety and quality

Zealand, almost one in ten patients miss

panel, consisted of three parts:

criteria had not been defined. In the

appointments, which costs the sector

1. Developing a prioritised list of features

absence of national standards, the features

NZ$80 million annually.

of prescribing software systems that

identified in this study should be used

would support patient safety and the

as guidance for software developers to

health statistic of Maori living in these

delivery of high quality care.

improve the functionality of their systems.

regions, with immunisation rates far below

the national average of 88%.

2. Panel members rated and prioritised

”Whilst it is positive that most systems

health

practice-patient

providers

to

send

In secondary care settings in New

Studies have highlighted the alarming

the features via a modified Delphi

include drug interaction and allergy

process.

alerts, there are other important safety

system, both regions have seen positive

Since the implementation of the

3. Seven commonly used systems — Best

features that should be included in all

outcomes. Rates of immunisation in the

Practice, Genie, Medical Director 2 and

clinical software systems, including alerts

Bay of Plenty have increased from 47%

3, MedTech32, Practix and Profile —

for contraindicated drugs, drug dosage

to 61% in just three months. Other Maori

were tested to see if the features had

support (eg. paediatric dosage, dosage in

health providers using the system, such as

been implemented.

renal impairment, warnings for potentially

Raukura Hauora O Tainui, have experienced

several

harmful doses) and timely warnings

impressive improvements in immunisation

issues, including the limited access to

about newly identified medicine safety

also. Raukura Hauora O Tainui implemented

evidence‑based drug and therapeutic

issues. These and other types of decision

Vensa Health’s TXT2Remind system across a

information

prescribing

support should be underpinned by high

group of general practices in North Waikato

software systems. While all systems did

quality, up-to-date information, and be

in January 2010. Immunisation rates have

provide decision support for drug-drug

implemented in such a way that they fit

risen dramatically from 55% coverage on

interactions, little to no decision support

with workflow and are easy to use.

average before implementation to 98% on

was found in regards to harmful dosage

average after fifteen months.

regimens or for safety issues relating to

clinical software to help vendors ensure

certain products.

their products support quality and safety

their health or prevent illness the better,”

The

study

highlighted

available

on

”Australia needs national standards for

“The sooner we can help iwi improve

national

in prescribing, and to ensure that there is

says Pat Cook, Acting General Manager

standards and guidance be required

a minimum level of clinical functionality

at Te Manu Toroa Trust, “We have an

to

NPS

recommend

that

of

that clinicians could expect to find in any

enrolled population that is viewed as hard

features to support safety and quality,

system. Government, professional bodies

to reach so we knew we needed to do

to produce greater consistency between

and the software industry each have a role

things differently to enable better access to

clinical software systems. They are also

to play in developing standards.”

healthcare.”

promote

the

implementation

calling for software features that support

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— Cara Sayer-Bourne

Pulse+IT

11

— Cara Sayer-Bourne

BITS & BYTES ECLIPSE claim lodgement doubles in twelve months Medicare Australia has reported impressive

HIC2011 and associated events coming to Brisbane in August

growth in the number of In-patient Medical Claims lodged through the Electronic Claim

Australia’s

eHealth

This initiative challenges speakers to share

Lodgement Information Processing Service

event, the Health Informatics Conference

longest-running

their learning with colleagues in a ten

Environment (ECLIPSE). Utilisation of the

(HIC2011) will be held in Brisbane, starting

minute time frame.

service has doubled since January last year,

from 1 August.

with recent figures showing that 30% of all

The conference, run by the Health

will debut ‘HealthBeyond: The Interactive

In-patient Medical Claims were now being

Informatics Society of Australia (HISA) will

E-Health Experience’ this year. The virtual

lodged through the electronic system.

celebrate the inspiration, innovation and

eHealth world will showcase technologies

ECLIPSE is an extension to Medicare’s

implementation that has taken place in the

and innovations that are being used in

online claiming services, through which

sector, showcasing examples from both

healthcare related settings. Rather than

In-patient Medical Claims are lodged

Australia and overseas.

just speaking to a vendor about the

directly through practice management

Attendees come from the private and

products, the showcase is designed to give

software and processed simultaneously

public sectors, health service delivery,

attendees the opportunity to experience

with Medicare and the private health fund.

insurance, pharmaceuticals, technology,

various health settings such as an aged

To run concurrently with HIC2011, HISA

In-patient Medical Claims are for

government and foundations, with over

care facility or a doctor’s surgery, or

medical items from in-hospital care where

a thousand people attending each year.

experience what it might be like to interact

benefits may be payable by both Medicare,

A stream of the conference is tailored

with a healthcare professional from their

and the patient’s private health fund.

to healthcare leaders and for those at

own home. Visitors can go on a self-guided

Describing the role of ECLIPSE, Human

management level.

tour of each room, with facilitators in

Services Portfolio General Manager, Hank

each room to explain things and answer

Jongen, said “ECLIPSE provides a secure

local speakers, as well as a large exhibition

questions along the way.

connection between practices, public and

of eHealth vendors. A notable participant

private hospitals, billing agents, Medicare

at the event is Mike Walsh, author of

Laura

and private health insurers.

Futuretainment

Interactive

“There are many benefits for both

Officer (CEO) of innovation research

important in the education of the public

doctors and patients who submit claims

agency Tomorrow. As an experienced trend

about e-heath:

through this system, including fewer claim

tracker, Mr Walsh is a leader authority on

rejections, better quality of data, reduced

the digital future and will highlight ideas

‘eHealth’ to a member of the public, they

administration and faster processing and

that are currently transforming our world.

wouldn’t have much idea what it is. I don’t

payment.”

A Q&A-style discussion with Q&A host,

think the public knows much about the

All private health insurers currently use

Tony Jones, will be back for its second

technology available, or what is currently

the ECLIPSE system for In-Patient Medical

year to look at the question: Are we any

being developed.

Claims, with many practice management

good at innovation in eHealth? The panel

software solutions now containing the

will feature Mike Walsh, Foundation Chair

is spending more time on the computer

necessary functionality needed to facilitate

in Medical Informatics at the Faculty of

than their elderly parents, and with this

ECLIPSE transactions.

Medicine at the University of NSW, Enrico

interactive demonstration we can show

A Medicare Australia spokesperson

Highlights include international and

and

Chief

Executive

Executive Producer of HealthBeyond, Salvatore,

believes

E-Health

that

Experience

the is

“At the moment I think if you said

“They might wonder why the nurse

Coiera, and politicians from both sides of

them what’s really happening.

“committed

the political spectrum. HISA has called for

to providing more options for health

attendees wishing to participate in the

to what’s out there so they can make a

professionals to process claims through

interactive session to email in questions

informed choices about healthcare related

convenient channels. The use of ECLIPSE

or pre-record video questions. During

matters. For example if there is a nursing

doubling since January 2010 is a significant

the forum, attendees will be able to SMS

home that has modern technologies

achievement, and Medicare Australia hopes

questions directly to Tony Jones.

available to residents, families may be

to further increase the use of this channel.”

more inclined to entrust their elderly

said

the

department

is

— Cara Sayer-Bourne

Built within the exhibition hall, HIC2011

will also feature the Learning Exchange.

12 Pulse+IT

“I think it also opens the public’s eyes

relatives into such care.

www.pulseitmagazine.com.au

BITS & BYTES

“HealthBeyond is working to demystify

Clinical Lead, NEHTA, Mr Colin Frick,

eHealth and drive public awareness of the

Chief Executive Officer, Improvement

technological innovations that are in fact a

Foundation,

reality.”

Australian General Practice Network and

Dr

Emil

Djakic,

Chair,

To serve as a follow up to the event, a

Mr Peter Fleming, Chief Executive Officer,

HealthBeyond road show will set out from

NEHTA. A selection of senior executives

Melbourne in 2012, with plans to stop in 26

and IT professionals from within the

cities and regional areas across Australia.

Division

The exhibition is free for the public to

throughout the two day event, with

experience, with promotion towards health

some parts of the software industry also

professionals, high school and community

represented.

groups.

In addition to HealthBeyond, HIC2011

Annual General Meeting will be held during

will feature a plethora of associated events

a breakfast session during the conference.

and conference streams catering for a

With last years’ AGM garnering record

wide diversity of interests. Amongst these

levels of interest, the meeting will provide

events are the Aged Care Informatics

an opportunity for members to come

Conference,

the

Nursing

network

will

host

sessions

For HISA members, the organisation’s

Informatics

together and hear from CEO, Dr Louise

Conference (1 August), the Digital Hospital

Schaper, about the organisation’s past

Design Conference (1-2 August), Games

achievements and the organisation’s aims

for Health, the Indigenous Informatics

for the future. Elections for HISA positions

Conference, and the AGPN eHealth

will also take place, with HISA currently

Conference (1-2 August).

calling for nominations.

While programs and other event

Dr Schaper believes there are a number

specifics are being finalised for some

of reasons why HIC 2011 stands out from

of these associated conferences, it is

other eHealth conferences:

understood that the Aged Care Informatics

Conference will feature Eric Dishman,

it has been running since 1992 is pretty

Director, Health Innovation and Policy,

impressive. This was before the Internet

Intel Corporation, who will present on

and before most people had computers

the current status of IT innovation in

in their home so I think that this legacy is

home care, and the inaugural Indigenous

very important.

Informatics Conference

has

garnered

“This is the 19th HIC so the fact that

“At any time over the four days,

interest from both Canada and New

you can choose to go to six different

Zealand, with a focus on the differing

presentations and the trade exhibit that

needs for this sector and how they can be

we have going. People are really spoilt for

best tackled.

choice and that was actually a criticism

To be held for the second year —

we had last year, ‘there are too many

but for the first time in association with

things to do and I can’t decide’ — there are

HISA — the AGPN eHealth Conference

competing priorities, but I think it’s nice

will commence with a pre-recorded

problem to have.

presentation from Minister for Health and

Ageing, Hon Nicola Roxon, followed by a

of time, and has continually grown and

keynote presentation by Ms Fiona Granger,

evolved into something really special.”

First Assistant Secretary, eHealth Division,

Department of Health and Ageing.

the associated events is available from the

HISA website: http://www.hisa.org.au

Other notable presenters for the event

include Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, National

www.pulseitmagazine.com.au

“It’s an event that has stood the test

More information about HIC2011 and

— Cara Sayer-Bourne

Pulse+IT 13

BITS & BYTES Clintel Systems announces distribution agreement with Omni-Health

Video conferencing telehealth MBS item numbers precede guidelines

Clintel Systems (formerly HealthSolve) has announced a distribution and sales

Medicare

agreement with Omni-Health Technologies,

subsidising video consultations for patients

relating to telehealth services.

covering Singapore and Malaysia.

in rural, remote and outer-metropolitan

areas, as part of a $620 million telehealth

practitioners are expected to be completed

Clintel is an Adelaide-based company

that

provides

web-based

clinical

Australia

has

commenced

to allow them to make informed decisions The clinical standards for general

initiative.

and released by October this year.

management software to the aged, acute

and community care sectors under the

62 per cent of the population, with only

preceding the existence of related clinical

product banners ‘The Specialist’ and

patients living in inner metropolitan areas

and technical guidelines, the RACGP

‘CareRight’.

excluded.

has advised practices to defer any video

The telehealth program will cover

General

practitioners

who

With

the

funding

arrangements

Omni-Health is a leading provider

work further than 20 kilometres from

conferencing purchasing decisions.

of Automaton Solutions and Service for

capital city centres as well as specialists

healthcare institutions in South-East Asia.

will receive a $6000 Telehealth On-Board

right,” says Dr Nathan Pinskier, eHealth

According to the companies involved,

Incentive, to be paid after the first video

spokesperson for the RACGP. “We’re

a key component of the relationship

consultation is performed. On an ongoing

doing a lot of working with the College

will be the integration between Clintel’s

basis, specialists will receive a 50 per cent

to define all of those requirements and

suite of care management systems and

loading, and general practitioners a 35 per

we will provide some implementation

the Omni‑Health automated pharmacy

cent loading for the sessions.

advice around this as well. The College

solutions,

which

will

streamline

the

“My advice is to just wait, let’s get it

Prior to the changes to the Medicare

will provide a complete member package.

prescribing and distribution of medication

Benefits Schedule introduced on 1 July,

It’s not going to happen tomorrow but we

in healthcare institutions.

Medicare Australia required that for a

hope in the next month or so we will have

Nick Cuthbertson of Clintel Systems has

consultation to be claimable, it had to be

some really useful information. We want

indicated that only minimal development

‘face to face’.

to work through it to delivering this in a

will be required to update his company’s

Access

medically safe and sustainable fashion,

products for the Singaporean and Malaysian

Economics found that the introduction

while also leveraging new technologies —

markets.

of teleconsulting in Kingaroy in rural

particularly when NBN it is available.”

“Clintel is a truly paperless system as

Queensland saved $125 per visit avoided

it provides billing and clinical records all in

when compared with the costs associated

Pinskier is positive about the potential of

one. It is a highly scalable system that is

with sending patients to Toowoomba.

the new telehealth arrangements.

quite intuitive, so the translation into the

Singapore market will be relatively easy,”

General Practitioners (RACGP) has been

address all of these outstanding issues

explains Mr Cuthbertson.

commissioned by the Department of

but it is a potentially exciting opportunity

A

The

study

undertaken

by

Royal Australian College

of

Despite the current uncertainty, Dr

“The current challenge is to try and

In related news for Clintel Systems, the

Health and Ageing (DoHA) to create a

because it does deal with the issues around

company is preparing to release an upgrade

Telehealth Standards Task Force in order to

equity and access, particularly in areas

for users of its CareRight solution. The

develop clinical standards in the telehealth

of disadvantage and those that suffer

additional functionality provides users with

arena, with the initial primary focus on

from the tyranny of distance. Patients

the ability to print entire clinical records

video conferencing. The task force will

who previously haven’t been able to see a

in a single step and the ability to merge

evaluate standards in relation to: Patient

specialist will now potentially have access

duplicate client records. Improvements to

safety, security and privacy; the education

to those services. What we don’t want

the product’s care plan and progress notes

and training of staff who are involved in

to do is get it wrong because we use the

functionality and observation recording

the video conferencing process; what

wrong technology or the wrong processes

features are also included in the update.

should be done with the information from

and we don’t want to create clinical risk.

Detailed notes about the update are

the session; what should be included in

We want to improve clinical outcomes and

included in the product’s Knowledge Base.

medical records; who should be involved in

clinical pathways.”

— Cara Sayer-Bourne

consent processes; and a guide for patients

14 Pulse+IT

— Cara Sayer-Bourne

www.pulseitmagazine.com.au

‘The health sector’s most relevant and applicable information technology forum’

Keynote Andrew Howard Head of Strategy & E-Health Architecture NEHTA

David Roffe Chief Information Officer St Vincents & Mater Health

Evan Rawstron Chief Operating Officer Macquarie University Hospital

Keynote

International Keynote Khai Leng Ho Group Director Integrated Health Information Systems (IHIS), Chief Information Officer National Healthcare Group (Singapore)

Malcom Thatcher Chief Information Officer Mater Health Services

Dr Ian Rodgers Director of eHealth and ICT Strategy NSW Health

Jodie Ryan Chief Information Officer St Vincent’s Health & Aged Care

Ann Larkins Chief Information Officer Barwon Health

Benefits of attending...

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only $895

before 15th July

to SAVE an extra 10% use code PULSE

Sponsorship & Exhibition Opportunities Available

Contact Jon Chivers (02) 8908 8518 | E: jonc@acevents.com.au

Organised By

BITS & BYTES ACT Health deploys Master Catalogue Information Service A

product

catalogue

HIMSS Asia Pac event coming to Melbourne in September

synchronisation

process has been implemented to minimise

The

and

Andrew Paul Howard, CIO, Department of

medical ordering errors and reduce data

Management Systems Society (HIMSS)

Health, Victoria; and David Bloch, Owner

administrative workload for ACT Health.

Asia Pacific Conference and Leadership

of VirtuAlameda, who will present “A

Dubbed the The Master Catalogue

Summit will take place in Melbourne,

Second Life: How Healthcare Communities

Information Service (MCIS), the system was

September 20-23. Held for the first time in

Innovate in Virtual Worlds.”

developed by Australian software company

Australia, this year’s event will incorporate

Bizcaps in consultation with the National

the

Management

summit, in which a panel will discuss the

E-Health Transition Authority (NEHTA).

Association of Australia Limited (HIMAA)

topic “Creating and sustaining innovation

Bizcaps helps create and maintain product

2011 National Conference.

in healthcare: why does healthcare IT lag?”

data catalogues for organisations across

Australia.

US-based

Healthcare

Health

Information

Information

Founded 50 years ago, HIMSS is a organisation

whose

stated

The event will feature a leadership

Healthcare leaders will explore the need for innovation to run, grow and transform

The MCIS allows ACT Health Supply

focus is on providing global leadership for

the business of healthcare.

Services to streamline their procurement

the use of information technology and

processes thanks to close integration of

management systems in aid of healthcare.

Mobile Health Symposium, which will

the NEHTA-established National Product

peak

be chaired by Dr Chong Yoke Sin, CEO

Catalogue (NPC) with their own Purchasing

professional body of Health Information

of Integrated Health and Information

Information System (PICS). This integration

Managers in Australia. Their aim is to

Systems (IHiS). The sessions will discuss

allows product and price information used

advance the standards of management

what is realistic within the mobile

for purchasing medical supplies to be

of health information systems in Australia

technologies space, future trends in

synchronised between the two systems.

for the benefit of healthcare consumers,

technology for healthcare, and provide

The MCIS was officially launched

HIMAA

is

the

recognised

The conference will also feature a

health service organisations and healthcare

insights and organisational strategies for

by ACT Chief Minister and Minister for

workers.

deploying such technologies.

Health, Katy Gallagher, who touted the

potential benefits of the new system whilst

Industry Solution Sessions that provide

Nursing Informatics Symposium, themed:

elaborating on its functionality.

exhibitors with an opportunity to educate

Nursing shaping the future of eHealth. The

“All ACT Health services and hospitals

attendees about their products and

session will discuss the role of informatics

will benefit from the new Master Catalogue

services, as well as conference sessions.

in the future of nursing, and teach

Information Service, which is designed to

The event features five defined streams,

attendees how to leverage informatics

increase efficiency through reduction of

which will run concurrently over the three

strategies to improve patient care, safety

product ordering errors and automation of

days, followed by a Certified Professional in

and processes. A Clinicians IT Symposium

inventory management processes.

Healthcare Information and Management

will look at facilitating continuity of care

“We expect the MCIS to dramatically

The convention will include both

Additional symposiums include the

Systems (CPHIMS) exam on the Friday

across a range of settings.

distribution

morning. One stream will cater exclusively

processes, and the safety of patients, by

to the Australian and New Zealand sector,

Interoperability Showcase designed to

ensuring the right products are purchased

which forms the basis of HIMAA’s 2011

highlight

at the right price and delivered at the right

National Conference.

solutions being used in typical clinical

time and place.

Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, National Clinical

scenarios. This initiative allows attendees

improve

purchasing

“Purchasers

and

and

suppliers

HIMSS AsiaPac will also include an standards-based

Health

IT

will

Lead for the National E-Health Transition

to create patient records and watch them

automatically update internal systems from

Authority (NEHTA) will deliver the opening

move from system to system across a

a central database of the latest product

keynote address at the conference. Other

continuum of care. The Interoperability

information and pricing data contained in

keynote speakers include: Fran Thorn,

Showcase allows vendors to demonstrate

the National Product Catalogue (NPC),”

Secretary, Department of Health, Victoria

their success in using standards-based

said Ms Gallagher.

and current Chair of the National E-Health

technology to improve patient care.

and Information Principal Committee; Dr

The showcase will feature the details of

— Cara Sayer-Bourne

16 Pulse+IT

www.pulseitmagazine.com.au

BITS & BYTES each participating company including

The objectives of the workshop are to

the IHE Actors and Integration profiles

learn about development in eHealth

successfully tested at the IHE Australia

technologies, to gain insights into how they

Connectathon and other international IHE

impact Health Information Management,

Connectathons.

and to gain knowledge about managing

the implementation of such technologies.

The event will feature a demonstration

area, with individual kiosks for each

participant, a showcase theatre, and

is to be held during the conference, open

speaking opportunities for executive‑level

to the first 500 participants to purchase

participants. These participants will form

a full conference and leadership summit

part of the Industry Leaders Panel, which

ticket.

will be included as part of the conference’s

educational stream on Interoperability.

conference’s international perspectives

is what sets it apart from the number of

HIMAA’s involvement with the event

An evening at the Melbourne Museum

HIMAA CEO Bob Blue, believes the

sees the organisation undertaking the

events taking place this year.

management of the Australian and New

Zealand Education Stream, which will take

international conference, with the wide

place on the Wednesday and Thursday.

range of perspectives and experiences

Throughout

HIMAA

that implies. In more specific terms, the

will provide attendees with updates on

Australian and New Zealand Education

developments in the Australian healthcare

Stream — HIMAA National Conference

reform program as they apply to the Health

—

Information Management profession. In

Management

addition, a case study will be presented

conference.”

on Health Information Management in the

aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake.

incorporating the HIMAA 2011 National

Conference, is now open and will remain

Chaired

Management

these

by

sessions,

Health

course

Information

coordinator

“In general terms, this is a genuinely

will

bring

Registration

a

Health

Information

perspective for

HIMSS

to

the

AsiaPac,

Ms

open during the conference. Further

Kerryn Butler-Henderson, HIMAA will

details are available at the event website:

conduct workshops on the theme: “Health

http://www.himssasiapac.org/11

Information Management and eHealth.”

— Cara Sayer-Bourne Left - International keynote speaker David Bloch of VirtuAlameda. Below - Opening keynote speaker Dr Mukesh Haikerwal.

If you want to know how good it feels to run intuitive, efficient, cost effective practice software, you can’t just dip your toe. That’s why we give you a FREE automated conversion utility for MD2, MD3 and Meditech 32 that lets you jump right in with all your practice data (from a back-up copy of course). You can go as deep as you like without ever feeling you’re getting out of your depth.

You’ll discover these and many more benefits:• We have MIMS – Australia’s most trusted drug database • Support professionals who are truly supportive • Speed and superior stability of 100% SQL performance • No ads, bolt ons or mixed file formats to compromise performance • Great value – subscription $907.50 for both Clinical and Management • Discounts for practices larger than 3 GPs • Half price for part time practitioners – $453.75 • No downtime for updates or time-consuming maintenance • More GPs are voting for Best Practice with their feet – and flippers!

Check our website for the full range of features.

Best Practice:– Clinical, Management and Top Pocket (BP software for your PDA). Unique, fully integrated whole-of-practice software. www.bpsoftware.com.au Go to the Best Practice website at www. bpsoftware.com.au to order your FREE Evaluation DvD, email sales@bpsoftware.com.au or phone (07) 4155 8800

www.pulseitmagazine.com.au

Pulse+IT 17

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BITS & BYTES

iSOFT debuts Mobility Suite for iPad at Cabrini Health

Global Health forms strategic alliance with Gemini Consulting Global Health Limited (GLH) has announced

Doctors at Cabrini Health now have the

patient, to a larger extent our other group

the formation of a strategic alliance with

ability to remotely access patient results

of customers is our doctors, as they choose

Gemini Consulting Pty Ltd.

and critical information for the first time,

to come here, they choose to bring their

thanks to the deployment of an iPad

patients here, they choose to base their

IT company (GLH.AX) that counts as its

solution developed by iSOFT.

practices here, and we have to provide

flagship products ReferralNet (a secure

them with what they want, not what

clinical messaging solution), MasterCare (a

The iSOFT Mobility Suite allows

Global Health is a publicly listed Health

we want them to have,” says Professor

suite of clinical record solutions designed

contained in a number of different hospital

Woods.

for hospitals, day surgeries and facilities

systems, providing a consolidated view of

“The most obvious and immediate

where mental health services are provided)

key patient information. Pathology and

benefit we’re seeing is much faster and

and LifeCard (a personal electronic health

radiology results, clinical observations,

more convenient access to information

record system).

medication and problem lists, and allergies

for clinical decision making, which means

and alerts, theatre lists and clinician diaries

we can provide even better care for our

consultancy

are all visible through the application.

patients and their families.

strategy, organisational change and market

development.

doctors

to

view

clinical

information

The Mobility Suite has been designed

“Having the device in our hands is also

Gemini is a change management

patients and families because we can now

retain ownership as well as rights to its

3G connection. The connection between

show results and images on the iPad and

intellectual

the devices running the application and

discuss it with them on the spot.”

product development, while Gemini will

the servers holding the clinical data is

iSOFT Managing Director, James Rice,

gain responsibility for the sales, delivery

encrypted to protect patient privacy.

believes that the application provides

and support of all Global Health products,

the sector with “a more pragmatic and

and the identification and development of

consultation with Associate Professor

incremental

new market segments.

Simon Woods, Executive Director of

clinicians needs”.

Medical Services, Cabrini Health.

“There

are

a

lot

of

risks

supporting

property

and

GLH

sales

giving us improved communication with

to

agreement,

in

achievable, either in the hospital or over a

approach

the

specialises

to work wherever a network connection is

iSOFT designed the application in

Under

that

will

associated

Gemini agreed to pay $500,000 in the

“The iSOFT Mobility Suite draws

current financial year to become Global

and

together information from many different

Health’s exclusive channel partner for

current

sources within the hospital, saving time

the company’s consumer health-related

paper‑based system, it’s a barrier to good

and creating better efficiencies for doctors

products in Australia. In return for this

communication, to general practitioners,

and hospital staff; crossing from imaging

injection of cash, GLH will issue 20 million

and other referrals,” explains Professor

to pathology to administration and even

shares to Gemini, which at the time of

Woods. “Many of our doctors — myself

tracking patients as they move around the

writing have a market value of 1.2 cents per

included in private [practice] — have

hospital for tests or an operation.”

share equating to a total consideration of

abandoned paper records and run our own

practice management systems. But the

functionality of the Mobility Suite over

task for a hospital to implement that is

time to include abilities such as discharge

Health, Steven Pynt, looks forward to the

much greater than a single practitioner.”

summaries and e-prescribing.

alliance: “The principals behind Gemini

“While we have all of this ability now,

have over 25 years of successful experience

hospital to begin using iSOFT Mobility

it is the start of what we see to be quite an

in IT products and services marketing,

Suite, with over 50 doctors adopting

incremental journey into a whole range of

gained both internationally (Europe, Asia

the system in May to view and update

functionalities and information,” says Mr

and USA) and in Australia. More recently

their patients’ clinical and administrative

Rice, “It’s the start of what we would call

they have been actively involved with

information

a transformational project in terms of how

programs developing the consumer market

clinicians care for patients in hospitals.”

for innovative IT services.”

inefficiencies

with

the

Cabrini Health in Melbourne is the first

including

patient

notes,

X-rays, scans and blood test results.

“While our primary customer is the

www.pulseitmagazine.com.au

iSOFT

intends

to

extend

the

— Cara Sayer-Bourne

Pulse+IT 19

$240,000.

Non-Executive Chairman of Global

— Cara Sayer-Bourne

BITS & BYTES Medical Observer releases Mobile Dr iPhone app Medical Observer, one of Australia’s two

HLA to host eHealth focused professional development day

weekly general practitioner newspapers, has released an iPhone application (app) for

Health Libraries Australia (HLA) will hold

undertaken using modern information

health professionals.

their annual Professional Development

technology, with a focus on mobile

The Mobile Dr app, which is compatible

Day on 28 July at the Canberra Hospital.

technology.

with Apple products running iOS, brings

together a broad selection of over 90

the Australian Library and Information

include Dr Louise Schaper, CEO, Health

clinical calculators and scoring tools,

Association (ALIA), representing over

Informatics Society of Australia (HISA); Mr

promising users to “help you spend less

1,000 health librarians and 431 health

Michael Gill, Internet Business Solutions

time crunching numbers and more time

libraries throughout Australia.

Group Lead for ANZ, Cisco Systems Inc; Mr

caring for patients”.

While HLA has presented eHealth

David Bunker National eHealth Transition

HLA is a specialist interest group of

The

event’s

keynote

presenters

The clinical calculators and scoring

and health informatics material to its

Authority (NEHTA); Ms Heather Grain, Hon

tools included in the app can be accessed

membership in the past, this is the first

Secretary, Australian Health Informatics

in a variety of ways, including via a list of

time the Professional Development Day

Education Council (AHIEC); and Dr Ruth

categories or through a search function.

will primarily focus on such subject matter.

Sladek, Senior Research Fellow, Flinders

Recently accessed utilities are automatically

Medical Centre.

bookmarked and users can also flag

half of the day will explore the intersection

commonly accessed calculators and scoring

between health librarianship and health

ALIA,

tools as favourites for rapid recall.

informatics, with the afternoon sessions

who are not members of one of these

Contextual help is provided for most

According to the organisers, the first

The event is free for members of HISA

and

AHIEC.

Individuals

detailing new technologies in health

organisations can attend the event for

calculators, with some of these help files

information access.

the nominal fee of $55. Further details

featuring references to peer reviewed

about the event are available from:

material that discusses the applicability of,

well as health and IT professionals will

or methodology behind, the scoring system

present short papers on projects they have

Librarians from the health sector, as

http://tch.anu.edu.au/hlapdday — Cara Sayer-Bourne

or clinical calculator.

The app is free to download, but

ongoing, unrestricted use beyond a seven day trial period requires that the user be a healthcare professional and registered with the Medical Observer website, a

Direct Control’s Out-Of-Pocket calculator prepared for launch

process that is also free. A limited number

Direct Control has created a web-based

will remove the need for a healthcare

of healthcare consumer-centric calculators

service to assist in the calculation of Out-

professional to be connected to a desktop

remain active after the trial period

Of-Pocket (OOP) expenses for patients

in order to calculate such figures.

concludes.

undergoing surgery. Known as ‘The OOP’,

While he would not be drawn on the

the application is designed for use in all

alone product, the application will be

app’s download statistics, Digital Editor

medical disciplines but will be particularly

enhanced to allow synchronisation with

of Medical Observer, Simon Wooldridge

useful for anaesthetists and assistants in

Direct Control, allowing patient details

says that the organisation is happy with

surgery.

to be entered into OOP and uploaded to

the uptake of the program, noting a

Direct Control.

substantial number of medical students are

estimate

downloading the application.

expenses, the software handling the

alone version of OOP is still to be decided,

Users of Direct Control can already the

patient’s Out-Of-Pocket

While initially developed as a stand-

The annual fee structure for the stand

At the time of writing, Medical Observer

complexity of the differing protocols of

however existing users of Direct Control

has not committed to developing the

each health fund. However the OOP is

will receive discounted pricing.

Mobile Dr app for other mobile operating

designed for mobile devices, including

systems, such as Android.

those developed by Apple or those running

the Australian Society of Anaesthetists

the Android operating system. The utility

Conference in September.

— Cara Sayer-Bourne

20 Pulse+IT

The OOP is slated to be launched at

www.pulseitmagazine.com.au

If you want to know how good it feels to run intuitive, efficient, cost effective practice software, you can’t just dip your toe. That’s why we give you a FREE automated conversion utility for MD2, MD3 and Meditech 32 that lets you jump right in with all your practice data (from a back-up copy of course). You can go as deep as you like without ever feeling you’re getting out of your depth.

You’ll discover these and many more benefits:• We have MIMS – Australia’s most trusted drug database • Support professionals who are truly supportive • Speed and superior stability of 100% SQL performance • No ads, bolt ons or mixed file formats to compromise performance • Great value – subscription $907.50 for both Clinical and Management • Discounts for practices larger than 3 GPs

• Half price for part time practitioners – $453.75 • No downtime for updates or time-consuming maintenance • More GPs are voting for Best Practice with their feet – and flippers!

Check our website for the full range of features. Best Practice:– Clinical, Management and Top Pocket (BP software for your PDA). Unique, fully integrated whole-of-practice software. www.bpsoftware.com.au

#

FREE EVALUATION DVD Name: Post Code:

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Phone:

Email:

Want to know more about eHealth?

www.ehealthinfo.gov.au www.nehta.gov.au

The National E-Health Transition Authority is jointly funded by the Australian Government and all State and Territory Governments.

NEHTA

New supply catalogue system for health services an Australian first Streamlining supply chain management in the

products, devices and consumables used in the

Australian healthcare sector is expected to deliver

delivery of healthcare.

substantial safety and quality benefits.

This is now a step closer with the advent of the

ACT Health taking the lead

Master Catalogue Information Service (MCIS).

ACT Health Services will be amongst the first to benefit

from the new technology.

The MCIS is an innovative supply chain solution

designed to increase efficiency through the reduction

of product ordering errors and automation of inventory

Chief Minister and Minister for Health Kay Gallagher

management processes.

was enthusiastic about the new medical supply and

The

solution

enables

the

ongoing

data

In an announcement made in June 2011, the ACT

inventory system.

synchronisation of pricing and product information

between buyer and suppliers. It assists users to speed

is part of a national program to streamline supply chain

up the business benefits to be fully realised in making

management in our healthcare system,” the Chief

use of NEHTA’s National Product Catalogue (NPC) and

Minister said.

enable the efficient use of clean data for eProcurement

and other processes that require this data in order to

from the new Master Catalogue Information Services,

work effectively.

which is designed to increase efficiency through

reduction of product ordering errors and automation of

Ongoing external and internal data synchronisation

that is not managed correctly creates a problem that is not easily solvable. Inconsistent, inaccurate business

“The Master Catalogue Information Service (MCIS)

“All ACT Health services and hospitals will benefit

inventory management processes.”

information within an organisation can then impact

Industry collaboration

on critical business objectives (e.g. revenue, profit,

Industry collaboration is integral to supply chain

decreased inventory shelf life, effective patient care,

reform in Australia. NEHTA’s NPC is hosted on the

customer satisfaction etc). This problem is consistent

GS1 platform (GS1net) run by GS1 Australia a not-for-

across both private and public health sectors and can

profit organisation that locally administers a global

be addressed without duplicating the effort and use of

multi-industry system of product identification and

multiple systems.

communication for products, services, assets and

locations.

Currently being rolled out by the National E-Health

Transition Authority (NEHTA), the NPC is a common

database for all pharmaceutical, medical devices and

of a joint NEHTA - ACT Health initiative working with

healthcare products to be used across Australia.

Bizcaps, the ACT Health solution provider. Together,

these organisations are taking huge steps to streamline

The benefits of the MCIS are vast:

• Using the MCIS will improve purchasing and

The progress achieved in ACT Health is a result

healthcare supply chain services across Australia.

distribution processes, and the safety of patients, by ensuring the right products are purchased at place.

• The MCIS will improve access by clinical staff to information about product availability.

• Its use will enhance the ability of healthcare

The National E-Health Transition Authority (NEHTA) has been tasked by the governments of Australia to develop better ways of electronically collecting and securely exchanging health information and is the lead organisation supporting the national vision for eHealth in Australia. For further information on NEHTAs work go to www.nehta.gov.au To access NEHTA’s Supply Chain website, visit http://www. nehtasupplychain.com.au

Author Info

the right price and delivered at the right time and

organisation to control the quality of medical

www.pulseitmagazine.com.au

Pulse+IT 23

MSIA

Procurement responsibility

Dr Geoffrey Sayer BSc(Psychol), MCH, PhD President, MSIA president@msia.com.au

There is a desire by all parties involved in eHealth

releases. In a time where the Government is merely one

to ensure that eHealth delivers sustainable patient

death, or resignation away from an election, the focus

outcomes. Health commands considerable political

has been on positive spin, press releases — aspirations

attention so it is extremely important to ensure

rather than actions.

that money allocated to eHealth actually delivers

sustainable patient outcomes. We don’t want to make

is assumed they are in the business of healthcare

it an easy target for allegations of wasteful spending.

and are driven by principles and integrity. Given the

There is already enough of that. While many would

considerable number of healthcare providers in this

argue the merits of a Personally Controlled Electronic

country (over 800,000) and the national healthcare

Health Record (PCEHR), what is clear amongst those

expenditure of billions of dollars, one would expect

who have been around, are that eHealth foundation

there to be a large number of millionaires. There are

pieces and the original intention of the funding

not, excluding perhaps one or two corporate types

surrounding the PCEHR is movement in the right

who are several multipliers greater on paper than in

direction. It can be used as a binding goal if it is shared

actuality. People who have only ever worked in health

by a wide range of stake holders. The degree of binding

or have spent decades in health are, by and large, not

though is limited when there is such a small scale

doing it for the money.

approach to vendor inclusion in the process and the

working around — almost against — industry.

disproportionate number of millionaires — quite the

When debating eHealth issues the MSIA has often

opposite. Like other people who work in healthcare,

been accused of being vendor centric. I find this quite

most people who work in the software industry

an amusing criticism because as the Medical Software

actually do it because they care about health. Many

Industry Association we are supposed to be representing

have worked as healthcare providers, healthcare

the views of the vendors. That is our job. It is an easy

administrators, healthcare educators or healthcare

criticism to use to try and discredit the association as

researchers and have blended their passion with skill

industry is in business. This criticism is often levelled at

and experiences in Information Technology (IT) and

the association when the arguments we are making are

Information Management (IM). Many have been doing

not liked or understood. While there is an obligation for

it for a long time because they are passionate about

us to be clear and qualify the position we are taking, it

health and what IT and IM can do to improve health.

is important that we play the issue and not the people.

I cannot say that critics of industry have always had

politics first and tax payers second, business is seen as

that philosophy. It is also apparent that industry has

putting profits or money first and customers second.

been the one calling for improvements to processes

Business lives and dies by being profitable it is argued.

that are focused on improved clinical and patient

Some medical software businesses are able to sustain

safety. It has not always been government, who seem

their business as they are part of a multinational

more concerned with political intent and positive press

company, are able to borrow money from banks, or

When one looks at healthcare organisations it

In the medical software industry, there is not a

While public servants are accused of putting

are able to run very lean through the bad times while

Author Info

the hope for the good times. I don’t feel praying is an As well as being President of MSIA, Geoffrey is Head of Operations, HealthLink. He has spent the past 20 years working as an epidemiologist. For the past 10 years Geoffrey has occupied senior management positions in medical software companies.

appropriate use of divine intervention for commercial activities. There are many other much worthy causes of omnipotent assistance. However, many of the medical software businesses in this country are running almost on empty. These companies have already invested and developed the capabilities that are now been sought

24 Pulse+IT

www.pulseitmagazine.com.au

through various tenders and PCEHR waves.

are not making use of the considerable

It is odd that, rather than working with

There are many companies that have

experiences that existing players could

existing players, it seems that we want

existing products and services that could

bring to the PCEHR initiative.

to work around them. We are seeing the

be purchased through the considerable

It is best to consider when purchasing

selection and funding and development

funding that has been made available

products and services the quality of the

of unproven bolt-ons and work-arounds

through Wave 1 and Wave 2.

product and quality and longevity of the

rather

than

sound,

fully

integrated

The rejection of 80 odd bids as part of

services that a company provides. It has to

solutions and sustainable support services

Wave 2 is testament to the availability of

be about what represents value for money.

from companies that have the pedigree

existing capabilities and platforms that,

This does not mean that one should not

and form on the board to deliver.

with additional development, can deliver

consider innovation and new players. There

the requirements for the PCEHR program.

is however a need to look to protect the

short cuts will get you lost. Many of us

These companies can do the job today.

purchasing decision and tax payers dollars.

have taken short cuts because we know

There’s no need to start from scratch.

There is even a greater responsibility when

where we want to go, but haven’t bothered

Yet procurers feel that when it comes to

that purchasing decision is being made

to consider the details that it actually

eHealth it is best to pay for a whole new

on behalf of tax payers. There are many

takes to get there. A top level view is not

product, and even provide considerable

people in the industry who have been

enough. Desire is not enough. It is a form

support

outraged first as tax payers and have been

of risk taking when short cuts are taken —

companies have no current customers

outraged as vendors second.

not sure it will work but it is better than

but are seen as more malleable to the

There is a lot of argument that

the longer way. The problem we create for

procurer’s requirements. The development

the evidence is not quite there for the

ourselves is that we are trying to achieve

of a whole new platform is seen as the best

effectiveness of IT and IM. The evidence

too much in too shorter time. The current

option.

though is continually mounting but the

approach seems to have made a wrong

for

new

companies.

These

I have previously stated that taking

What is forgotten is that these new

challenge is the changing pace of the IT

turn and has forgotten that we want

platforms and ventures have no credible

and IM. Innovation is dynamic and things

sustainable and scalable patient outcomes.

form on the board for a national program.

change — what is needed for tomorrow

Not press releases of work‑rounds that

They do not have business infrastructure;

is not available today. Or is it? There are

history tells us don’t deliver sustainable

service capabilities; application integration

many companies whose experience and

outcomes and most likely put clinicians

experience and scalability of delivering

products meet the current demands, or

and patients at risk. Caveat emptor — let

a fully integrated system. Procurers

could do so with only minor enhancements.

the buyer beware.

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Pulse+IT 25

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26 Pulse+IT

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FEATURE

Integrating medical devices in general practice Introduction

contact details of the relevant device vendors. Amongst

Electronic medical records, document scanning, email,

the devices listed as compatible are the Norav PC-ECG,

secure messaging and computer-based faxing have

Biolog CV3000 ECG, Cube ECG, QRS Diagnostics’

all served to put downward pressure on the amount

devices, Welch Allyn’s CardioPerfect and Spot Vital

of paper modern medical practices have to handle on

Signs software, encompassing ECG, oximetry, pulse,

a day to day basis. However while nearly all general

blood pressure and spirometry devices, to name a few.

Simon James

BIT, BComm Editor, Pulse+IT simon.james@pulseitmagazine.com.au

practices are able to receive and process pathology reports sent from geographically distant laboratories

Zedmed

using purely digital workflows, many practices still rely

Zedmed users are able to connect their computers to

on paper as a means of viewing the data produced by

Welch Allyn CardioPerfect and SpiroPerfect devices,

medical devices situated in their own treatment rooms.

the Norav PC-ECG, the Biolog 3000 ECG, the Easyone

Spirometer, and the Micro Medical (now Care Fusion)

This article outlines some of the options that

are available to general practices, some of whom

MicroLoop Spirometer.

may already possess all the necessary hardware and software to digitise and streamline the record keeping

Best Practice

associated with medical device related diagnostic

While the requisite update has not yet been released,

tests.

Best Practice Software announced their intention to

Which medical devices will work with my clinical software?

make their clinical software compatible with a range of popular devices at their inaugural conference in March this year. The company has advised Pulse+IT that

For the majority of Australia’s general practices

Welch Allyn ECG and spirometer devices, spirometers

including those running Medical Director and Zedmed

that interface with the WinSpiro Pro software, and

clinical software, the opportunity to connect a range

PC-based ECGs, spirometers, blood pressure monitors

of medical devices to their computers has existed

and pulse oximeters from QRS Diagnostics will be

for some time. The developers of these clinical

compatible with Best Practice within a few months.

software packages have supplied Pulse+IT with the following information outlining their products’ current

Workflows and benefits

compatibility with various medical devices.

As practices that are not using hardware and software

Readers are advised to contact both their clinical

combinations that permit seamless medical device

software developer and the relevant medical device

integration would be well aware, the scanning of

distributor before making a purchasing decision to

diagramatic data generated by ECGs and spirometry

ensure that any recent clinical software updates,

devices can be both time consuming and problematic.

operating system changes or hardware revisions have not resulted in a loss of compatibility.

Medical Director users can view a comprehensive list of compatible devices from within the HCN Maintenance Device List. As well as highlighting any currently

Author Info

Medical Director

Simon James is the editor of Pulse+IT, Australia’s highest circulating health publication of any kind. Prior to founding the publication in 2006 he worked in the statistics division of a clinical research organisation, in an IT support capacity for various medical practices, for a clinical software developer, and subsequently for a secure clinical messaging developer.

installed devices, this area of the program contains the

www.pulseitmagazine.com.au

Pulse+IT 29

The presence of coloured backing paper

and you can run filters on it. Depending

device software from within their own

and the need to scan at high resolution to

on which version of the software you have

clinical software, perform the necessary

preserve the quality of graphs dramatically

you can also get the system to provide you

tests, and then import the information

increases the scanned image size when

with a suggested diagnosis. The old fashion

collected back into the patient’s clinical

compared

scanned

paper-producing ECGs that generated

record.

documents. In addition, the non-A4 shaped

a long roll of paper required secretaries

paper sizes utilised by many ECG and

to cut it up, paste it onto paper and

pertains to Medical Director, Dr Sales

spirometry devices can reduce scanning

photocopy it. The doctor would then report

explained: “As far as the ECG side of things

efficiency as extra human intervention is

on it and finally it would be scanned. Even

is concerned, there’s a toolbox within

often required during the process to ensure

then it was stored in a different section of

the individual patient’s Medical Director

acceptable results.

the notes meaning it wasn’t obvious that it

record. If you click on the ECG button, it

Even

to

when

most

other

scanned,

ECG

and

Elaborating on this process as it

was an ECG.”

then launches the bundled software for

spirometry images cannot be manipulated

Whereas older medical devices were

the ECG device. But it’s seamless, it’s like

or intelligently processed using specialised

required to house their own purpose-built

it’s happening within Medical Director

software in the ways that modern

computer to interpret the data collected,

with a new window displaying the ECG. If

technology permits.

the majority of PC-connected medical

you close that window, you’re back into

Dr Milton Sales, a GP from Newcastle

devices jettison most of the in-built

the medical record again where you would

and Medical Director user has had his

circuitry and utilise the processing power

make your comments or report on the

clinical software configured to interface

of a nearby computer, typically connected

ECG. The image can be called up again

with his practice’s ECG and spirometry

via a USB cable or a serial connection in

in the ECG software, but this process is

devices for some time — as many as eight

some cases.

triggered from within Medical Director.

years for the ECG and around two years

for the spirometer. His practice currently

being “quite a small device, basically four

there’s a lung function module within

utilises an ECG manufactured by Micro

to five inches in diameter and all the leads

Medical Director, and the numbers and a

Medical, and an Easyone Spirometer.

come off that.”

graph are populated from the spriometry

Recalling the issues associated with

Dr Sales describes his practice’s ECG as

“With the spirometry side of things,

Most medical device manufacturers

device into the respiratory tab of the

the equipment that preceded his current

either bundle their devices with their

Medical Director notes. Again, the user

‘computer-connected’ medical devices, Dr

own drivers and device software, or with

doesn’t have to specifically go external

Sales states: “We found particularly with

device software licensed from a third party

to Medical Director, it’s populated from

ECGs, scanning them never gave a good

developer. Integration work undertaken

within the program via its integration with

picture. The ECG software allows you to

by the developers of Medical Director and

the software provided with the spirometry

make diagrams bigger or more spread out,

Zedmed allows the user to trigger the

device.”

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At we’d rather catch you than catch you out

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FEATURE

QR codes in healthcare Dr Balaji Bikshandi

MB BS, FCICM Dept. of Intensive Care Medicine, Royal Brisbane Hospital balaji.md@gmail.com

Introduction

new code was developed with a main objective of

Earlier in the year I presented my research poster

“Code read easily for the reader”. The QR code carries

at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the College of

meaningful information in the vertical direction as

Intensive Care Medicine at the National Convention

well as the horizontal. By carrying information in both

Centre in Canberra. It was recommended that flyers for

directions, QR code can carry up to several hundred

each poster be printed for the benefit of the viewers. I

times the amount of data carried by an ordinary bar

employed a QR (Quick Response) code instead of the

code. But the technology seems to have found new

flyers, which enabled the viewers to directly download

applications since last year with the exponential growth

my poster and the associated abstract instantly to

of smart phones.

their mobile phones. It generated significant interest among the viewers, more than the actual content of

Technical details

the poster! This prompted me to write an article on this

QR codes can carry up to 7,089 numeric characters,

technology, which has great potential for improving

4,296 alphanumeric characters and 2,953 bytes of

various domains of healthcare.

binary (8 bits) information. By contrast, conventional

We are very familiar with bar codes. But, bar codes

bar codes can store only 20 digits. In addition, the

require special laser equipment to read them and

footprint of QR codes is much smaller than bar codes,

the reading equipment has to be in close proximity

and there is even a “Micro QR” format available.

to the code. Unlike bar codes, QR codes can be read

in ordinary light by standard mobile phone cameras,

be scanned, even when partially impaired by dirt

and from a distance. The use of QR codes outside of

or damage. This is made possible by built-in error

industry, for personal use, has increased in the last

correction, which permits up to 30% of code words to

few years. This increase is because of the widespread,

be restored. The codes can be easily read by mobile

rapid adoption of smart phones (iPhone, Android,

phones with cameras and there are freely available

BlackBerry etc) that can easily decode the information

software products (code readers) which enable instant

contained in the codes and execute a variety of

decoding of QR codes.

commands, particularly when coupled with mobile

An unique feature of QR codes is their ability to

Internet connectivity. The uses for such a technology in

Traditional uses

healthcare are manifold.

Initially

History

used

for

tracking

parts

in

vehicle

manufacturing, QR codes are now used in a much broader context. Specifically, convenience-oriented

The history of QR codes dates back to 1994 when

applications aimed at mobile phone users (termed

a Japanese company by the name of Denso Wave

mobile tagging), has grown in usage. Generally, QR

decided to improve on the existing bar-codes. The

codes can be used to display a small text passage to the

Author Info

user, to add contact details to the user’s mobile device, Dr Balaji Bikshandi is a member of the College of Intensive Care Medicine (ANZ) and the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM), about to be awarded the fellowship in Intensive Care. His interests are diverse ranging from medicine & surgery to computers & technology.

Specifically, he is interested in the utility of advanced technology for helping patients and clinicians by the bedside. He is a proponent of creative thinking in Medicine.

to go to a website, or to compose an e-mail or text message. The technology has been called paper‑based ‘hyperlinks’ by some.

Potential uses in healthcare The technology has the potential to help patients, clinicians,

32 Pulse+IT

medical

administrators

and

research

www.pulseitmagazine.com.au

personnel. It could help reduce healthcare

This can aid their practice management

in areas with high patient turn-over like

costs and improve processes both at an

by adding patient information easily to

Anaesthesia.

individual practitioner level and at an

their database. They can advertise their

organisational/state/country level.

practice efficiently and potentially reduce

health promotion activities can be made

the workload of office staff.

more interactive and potentially yield

practice, pointing your phone’s camera at

Hospital administrators can use QR

better involvement from the public by

a QR code posted on the door and having

codes for circulation of notices, which can

utilising QR codes. For example, people

an appointment booked automatically! It is

be instantly downloaded by the user to

can be invited to book an appointment

very possible with QR codes. Not only can

their mobile device. Rosters can be made

with the nearest breast screen centre just

patients book appointments, but they can

to be easily download-able straight into

by pointing the mobile phone to a roadside

also get practice information like opening

the employees’ mobile phone calendars.

advert.

and closing hours, the contact details of

Information for visitors and patients,

the practice and its healthcare providers,

location and mapping to direct visitors

enormous. Patient recruitment can be

and can even download health related

within the hospital can be much simplified

made very easy which could potentially

information while they are waiting by

with QR codes. There exists a potential for

increase patient recruitment numbers.

simply scanning the QR enabled posters.

utilising this technology for automated

QR codes can simplify access to research

This may reduce the need for printing of

patient tracking. Strategically installed

related documentation. Users can easily

pamphlets.

code readers can potentially track and

participate instantly in online surveys and

Clinicians can instantly access patients’

time stamp a patient’s location within

the ease of participation with a mobile

health records by scanning the QR code.

the hospital. This will be especially useful

device might improve turnout significantly.

Imagine

walking

past

a

general

Multiple Video Source Billing Scheduling

Letters HL7

Secure Workflow

Evolving

Devices

Robust Clinical coding

Radiology

Instant Messaging

Endoscopy Claim management

Video

Multilingual

General Practice

Hospital

Adaptive

The utility of QR codes in research is

“Liszt” - Live Video

Presence Tasks Lists

Intuitive

Messages to the general public like

SOA

Banking

Themed

Specialist

Totalcare

Appointments

Multi disciplinary

SQL

Day Surgery

SMS

Complete

Endoscopy Machines Integrated DRG Grouper

Access Control

medical management software

Paperless Electronic Records

Waitroom Reliability

Efficiency

Integrated

Reporting

Personalised

Dashboards and Workbench

Still Images

totalcare www.pulseitmagazine.com.au

Elegant

Modularity

Surgical Audit

Auditable

Admissions

Touch Screen Technology

web www.totalcare.net.au email info@totalcare.net.au

phone +61 7 3252 2425 skype skype.totalcare.net.au

Pulse+IT 33

Medical posters at major conferences can be made

Reading QR codes

downloadable. This saves printing off flyers and makes

Many newer mobile phones come built-in with QR code

the information contained, more interactive. QR codes

reading software. For those that don’t there are large

can be potentially used for anonymising research

number of QR code readers available at no charge for

participants and can become an easy-to-implement

various mobile phones (iPhone, Android, BlackBerry

‘individually re-identifiable’ data collection system.

etc). One example is Qrafter, a free program for iPhone

Research references could be easily accessed among

available from the iTunes app store. When reading

the many other possible uses.

a QR code, the user has to start the ‘code reader’ program in the mobile phone and point the camera to

Issues

the posted code. The phone will then instantly decode

The major issues concerning the wide use of QR

the information and execute it. This could involve

codes in healthcare pertain to health information

directing the user to a website, downloading a file

confidentiality

QR

or sending a message. Depending on the size of the

mechanisms generally lack encryption. Until the

posted code and the visibility, mobile phones could

security issues are addressed, utility of this technology

read it from various distances (from just under a metre

in the health records domain will remain limited.

to many metres). Many code readers prompt the user

But other uses that do not directly involve patient

to authorise the automated action to prevent wrong

health records can be easily implemented. Studies

usage.

and

data

security.

Current

are urgently needed in implementing this technology in the various areas mentioned above to assess the

Generating QR codes

feasibility, cost-effectiveness and to specifically tailor

QR codes can be easily generated by the end user.

this technology to the healthcare domain.

There are many freely available on-line QR code generators, the following being a short selection:

Below - The Qrafter iPhone app, which allows users to scan and process QR Codes easily. Equivalent alternatives exist for other smart phones including BlackBerry and those running Android.

• http://www.telstra.com.au/codes/tlife/generator. cfm • http://keremerkan.net/qr-code-and-2d-codegenerator • http://qrcode.good-survey.com • http://www.sparqcode.com/static/maestro

Correspondence The author can be contacted by scanning the QR code below:

34 Pulse+IT

www.pulseitmagazine.com.au

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FEATURE

Remote monitoring technologies help patient care Anne Trimmer

Chief Executive Officer Medical Technology Association of Australia

Australia’s current and future challenges in delivering

at home (e.g. telehealth and remote monitoring). The

hospital and aged care services are well documented.

sophistication of home health medical technologies

The Australian health and ageing sector needs to

is increasing. In the future wireless technology will

look towards medical and information technologies

enable many medical devices to be monitored from

to support Australians to remain in their own homes

a distance, effectively assisting with ‘hospital in the

for as long as possible and to avoid unnecessary

home’ type care. In many cases the technological

hospitalisation. The provision of care that enables

capabilities already exist. The Australian healthcare

individuals to be treated in the home environment is

system must harness the advances in information

far more cost effective than all other alternatives.

technology that have revolutionized other industries

(e.g. the mobile phone industry).

In the aged care sector alone, forecasts by the

National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission

Independent living solutions have been piloted

estimate that the number of aged care places will

throughout Australia, with excellent outcomes.

need to double by 2030 in order to meet demand.

Personal alarms are a good example of a technology

An additional challenge is a shortage of care-givers,

used by older Australians to gain faster assistance in

nurses and doctors.

an emergency. Remote monitoring of patients with

The medical technology industry provides a range

chronic disease has been shown to reduce hospital

of home health solutions which assist in meeting

readmissions and the number of patient bed days.

the challenges of delivering care to patients and the

Research in the United States to determine the

ageing. These include devices to manage cardiac

benefits of assistive technology found that 80% of

disease, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary

elderly individuals were able to reduce dependence on

disease (COPD), as well as a range of devices that

others and 50% were able to avoid entering a nursing

can be used to monitor patients in their homes (e.g.

home.

personal alarms, sensors, heart rate and other vital

signs monitors, pressure sensors, enuresis sensors,

medical and assistive technologies can significantly

scales, glucose monitors, blood pressure monitors,

improve the lives of Australians. There has been a

sub-acute medical products etc).

shift in chronic disease management from acute care

There is a large amount of evidence to show that

Devices may have a diagnostic application (e.g. an

in hospitals to home or residential care. Medical care

implantable loop recorder), assessment application

has traditionally been provided in clinics, hospitals

(e.g. bladder diaries) or monitor symptoms associated

and residential care units. Funding of the healthcare

with an undiagnosed condition (e.g. atrial fibrillation).

system supports these traditional models of service

Increasingly the home is seen as an appropriate

delivery, for example Medicare Benefit Schedule

setting for healthcare services. There are a range of

(MBS) item numbers are provided for face-to-face

technology choices that are available to assist patients

consultations, chronic care is managed in hospitals

to manage medical conditions and remain independent

or clinics and funding is provided for products (pharmaceuticals, durable medical equipment).

Author Info

MTAA represents manufacturers and suppliers of medical technology used in the diagnosis, prevention, treatment and management of disease and disability in Australia. MTAA recommends access to innovative medical technology to decrease hospitalisations and defer residential care admission. For more information visit www.mtaa.org.au

Access to technology is vital to the provision

of ambulatory care. The Federal Government has implemented policy initiatives for telephone and video consultations. However, very little policy work has been undertaken to support broader uptake of telehealth or other assistive technologies in Australia.

A small number of devices that fit under the remote

36 Pulse+IT

www.pulseitmagazine.com.au

monitoring umbrella are funded in an ad-hoc way. A

services in rural areas, patient travel and unnecessary

small number of items are funded by Private Health

tests and chronic disease management. In addition

Insurance and are listed on the Prostheses List (e.g.

to direct cost savings, there are a number of indirect

implantable cardiac devices). In these cases the device

cost savings associated with telehealth, for example,

is funded and the monitoring capabilities tend to be a

reducing patient travel time, reducing the burden on

free or unfunded adjunct and paid for by the patient.

family members and caregivers and loss of income

Currently there is no policy that outlines how doctors

etc.

and allied health professionals should be reimbursed

for telehealth services.

patients. It is now recognised that a large number of

Access to telehealth should not be limited to rural

There are a range of telehealth pilots operating

individuals with chronic illness live in major urban areas

in each state and territory. There is a need for

and can access greater levels of care via telehealth

comprehensive policy that pulls all of these services

services. Restricting telehealth item numbers to ‘live’

together, with the specific aim of ensuring Australians

online consultations is likely to constrain the utilisation

can access support to remain independent in their

of telehealth in Australia.

homes.

The Medical Technology Association of Australia

numbers for telehealth in July 2011. At this stage it

(MTAA) has outlined cost savings to Government

seems likely MBS item numbers will be restricted to

of $3.1 billion per year. Considerable savings can be

video consultations, and not cover other telehealth

achieved by reducing the need for residential care

services. MTAA has recommended that MBS item

and residential care packages and reducing the

numbers for telehealth include reimbursement for the

costs associated with emergency room admissions,

assessment and monitoring of medical data collected

The Federal Government is introducing MBS item

HealthLink/Medinexus Page 180 x 120monitoring).

Puse IT Mag potentially preventable hospitalizations, flying doctors from aHalf patient’s home (remote

connecting healthcare

www.pulseitmagazine.com.au

Pulse+IT 37

OFF TOPIC

Identity and Access Management – how does it benefit healthcare providers?

Dr Jonathan Leviss

Director Clinical Solutions for Microsoft Health Solutions Group

Two critical challenges to the implementation of Health

• Efficiency

—

enable

authorised

people

to

Information Technology (HIT) — including electronic

appropriately access and use patient data quickly

health records — are protecting the privacy of personal

and easily.

information and providing simple, efficient ways for

providers to use HIT in the fast-paced workflows of

requirements by law, but Efficiency is a healthcare IAM

healthcare. The public is concerned about privacy of

requirement for busy physicians, nurses, and other

data — reports of hospitals and other organisations

providers who care for patients in the fast-paced and

accidentally

high-stress world of healthcare.

releasing

personal

information

of

Security

and

Privacy

are

healthcare

IAM

customers, employees, and members are common. At

HIMSS 2011, Dr Farzad Mostashari, the US National

able to focus on patient care without the burden of

Coordinator for Health IT, described addressing the

encumbering technologies that introduce confusing

privacy problem as critical to his multi-billion dollar

or slow workflows, including IAM solutions. The

mission of expanding the use of HIT. Simultaneously,

deployment architecture of HIT in most contemporary

as more and more health systems from Australia

health systems, involving multiple applications, shared

to Europe implement HIT, projects stall and even

thick and thin client workstations, and task-focused,

fail because physicians, nurses, and other providers

short user-sessions, prevents many non-healthcare

demonstrate that certain technologies slow them

IAM solutions from meeting these criteria.

down or become too distracting for safe and efficient

use while treating patients. Many health systems turn

provision, authenticate, control, and audit. Identify

to identity and access management technologies to

means to make sure that the individual who presents

better address both the privacy concerns of the public

to a health system is who they say they are. Typically,

and the workflow needs of providers.

health systems address identification at the point of

The HIV/AIDS epidemic, the passage of health

hire or credentialing, such as when a nurse applies for a

information privacy laws in many countries, and the

position. Health system ID cards are typically provided

rapid growth of the electronic exchange of personal

to staff for future visual identification; a username is

information irreversibly elevated the importance of

provided for identification in HIT. Once identified, a

Identity and Access Management (IAM) in healthcare

person is awarded privileges, possibly a role, which

for regulators, privacy advocates, and the lay public.

typically permits certain functions and restricts others.

IAM requires:

The newly hired nurse may be assigned the tasks

• Security — prevent unauthorised people from

of distributing medications to patients but not to

accessing patient data.

• Privacy — prevent the use or release of patient data inappropriately.

The trained healthcare professional must be

The IAM lifecycle is a continuous loop of: identify,

perform surgery; additionally, he may be provisioned and account to access the health system’s email and patient laboratory test results in information systems, but not order medications. When the nurse

Author Info

arrives for work, he identifies himself with his ID card Jonathan Leviss, MD, is the Director, Clinical Solutions, for Microsoft Health Solutions Group, and an internist at the Thundermist Health Center in Rhode Island. In his current role at Microsoft, Dr Leviss leads a clinician subject matter expert team to develop and deliver marketing and sales support for technologies and services that are core to the Health Solutions Group.

which contains a photo of him; when he uses hospital information systems, he types his username and a password, or perhaps scans a fingerprint; the photo ID, the password, and the fingerprint reader enable him to authenticate, to prove that he is who he says he is.

38 Pulse+IT

Once the nurse has been identified, provisioned,

www.pulseitmagazine.com.au

and authenticated, his actions within the

safeguarding patient information is more

be flexible enough to support the staffing

health system must still be controlled.

important that a foolproof IAM approach

requirements of health systems, easy

Applications can offer varying roles of

that overburdens providers.

enough to be used by transient staff, and

different privileges and capabilities —

robust enough to be effective.

the nurse may have access to restricted

Healthcare Differentiators

medications in a dispensary but not the

There

ability to order intravenous fluid. Once

healthcare that differentiate it from other

Unique workflows are the failure point for

an individual is properly identified and

sectors:

many HIT projects. As more HIT projects

are

several

characteristics

of

authenticated, the actions taken within

The Workflow

require providers to enter documentation

information systems must also be able to

The Patient

or orders for a patient, rather than just

be audited. Audits in healthcare frequently

A key differentiator in healthcare, unlike

reviewing results or information about a

require answers to five basic questions:

other industries, is that the customer

patient, applications and systems need to

• Who

really does come first. On a regular basis in

link the provider to the work performed.

all health systems, policies and procedures

Signing on to multiple applications and

are broken to address a critical need for

searching them all to find information

patient care — IAM is no exception. If

on the same patient slows down a busy

a physician needs emergent access to

provider and can be confusing. Spending

patient information that would not be

30-60 seconds to sign on to an application

available under routine processes (i.e.

when the provider only needs to use an

access to psychiatric notes or medications

application for 1-2 minutes to check a test

had

access

to

patient

information?

• What information did the person access?

• Where was the person when accessing the information?

• When did the person access the information?

• Why did the person access the

during treatment in the Emergency

result or enter an order, before moving on

information?

Department), there must be a way for

to another computer at another patient

A health system might perform an

the physician to access this information.

bedside, is not feasible.

audit of information access to affirm

Effective IAM solutions will, in balance,

or refute a violation of an IAM policy or

create an event log for later review.

The Culture

process, to create utilisation reports after

The healthcare focus on patients and team

staff training, or simply to reinforce to

The Staff

staff that use of HIT and access of patient

Health

on

patient information that occurs in many

information can be audited. Audits identify

employed staff, affiliated staff, students,

health systems. Providers share access

violators of policies as well as weaknesses

and even volunteers for many tasks.

to patient records with colleagues to

in processes and technologies. An IAM

Usually, many different offices maintain

facilitate care, usually so a colleague can

system is only as strong and complete

different databases to track these varied

save time and avoid having to sign on

as the processes in place to support the

individuals, which impedes the monitoring

to an application. Once providers enter

system and the staff who implement

of all persons who deliver care and access

computerised orders or documentation in

the policies. Of critical importance is

patient information. Additionally, some

applications for patients, sharing access

creating IAM policies and processes that

staff may be transient (i.e. students

creates new problems. Privacy regulations

support the care of patients by providers;

and trainees) and others might start

in most countries also prohibit such

a flexible IAM approach which enables, or

on minimal notice (i.e. new hires and

practices.

enhances, quality healthcare delivery while

temporary nurses). An IAM system must

systems

care contribute to the shared access to often

depend

A great opportunity for healthcare IAM

www.pulseitmagazine.com.au www.pulseitmagazine.com.au

Pulse+IT 39

is to implement technologies that improve

of strong authentication that can be

delegating the decision processes for

access and workflow for providers while

integrated into the IAM workflow. The

providing access to applications and

simultaneously improving the security

challenge is to balance the security

patient information, reflecting the varied,

and privacy of patient information. IAM

added by strong authentication with

decentralised decision making processes

technologies have become main stream in

the workflow impact of the technology

for professional privileges and staffing that

many healthcare markets, making it easier

— in ideal circumstances, adding strong

exists in most health systems.

for health systems and their providers to

authentication both increases security

‘do the right thing’, or implement more HIT

and makes it easier for people to use HIT.

is similar to implementing change and

(improving patient care and organisational

Combining strong authentication with

technology in other environments — the

efficiency)

in

healthcare

strengthening

SSO, providing grace periods whereby

likelihood of success is directly related

access is continued across multiple devices

to how much pain the original problem

security.

if a strong authentication device is used,

causes the targeted user as well as to

are examples of how provider workflow

the user’s perception of the value of the

can benefit while security is enhanced.

new technology and processes being

model that makes the existing model

Context Management offers a solution

introduced. Technologies that will be used

obsolete.” [R. Buckminster Fuller]

to the complex navigation and potential

by providers, especially those that change

safety risks of providers using multiple

how providers interact with patients or

applications

patients.

patient information, must be championed

the ability for a person to access any

Context Management enables a user

by providers for broad adoption. Whether

combination of applications as authorised

to select a patient or other information

individual providers, Chief Medical or

by a secure credential repository with

focal point (e.g. diagnostic code) in

Nursing Officers, of Medical Informatics

only one set of credentials. For example,

one information system and to have all

Officers should lead IAM efforts depends

a physician approaches a workstation

other applications synchronize on the

on the health system’s local needs

in an ICU, types in one username and

same patient (or code). In this manner,

and culture. However, the absence of

password, and has access to all the

Context Management reduces the work

interdisciplinary leadership across IT and

necessary applications to care for patients

of finding a patient’s information across

clinical divisions is a common cause of

without needing to log in again. Reducing

applications and prevents the error of

failure in healthcare IAM initiatives.

multiple usernames and passwords to

accidentally selecting different patients

one eliminates the need for users to

in multiple applications when reviewing a

data with neighbouring, and sometimes

record these items in insecure ways, a

single patient’s information. Combining

competing, entities, new questions appear

major security risk in most organisations.

SSO and Context Management offers a

about IAM. Is patient data effectively

With SSO, health systems can effectively

visual integration of patient information

protected if it is shared by two hospitals

implement strong passwords, since users

across multiple applications — presenting

that have different IAM policies or

only need to remember one password for

multiple applications as one larger system

technology safeguards? Do the same

all application access. Equally important

with enhanced security and usability.

IAM solutions that work in a single health

in healthcare, robust SSO solutions ‘single

Again, providers gain workflow benefits

system offer adequate protection if

sign-off’ all open applications when a user

and patient data becomes more secure.

deployed across a region or loosely aligned

completes a work session, preparing the

Provisioning solutions automate and

independent health systems? As we

workstation for the next person to use and

streamline the creation and management

safeguard patient data, including our own,

protecting patient data.

of user identities and their corresponding

while we simultaneously ask our providers

further

IAM

the protections for patient information

and

Implementing

“To change something, build a new

Single

Sign-On,

or

SSO,

offers

when

treating

As health systems begin to exchange

Strong authentication requires a user

application accounts. Advanced solutions

to improve both efficiency and quality of

to present ‘something you have’, such

use messaging systems, workflow engines,

care, we will need to continue to expand

as a token, during the authentication

and customisable rules to automate

the function of our solutions to address

process. Typically the token is combined

and expedite the approval processes

these challenges.

with a password or ‘something you know’

and workflows which accompany these

for enhanced security. Smart Cards, RFID

tasks. These processes must be able to

Author’s Note

cards (including many organisation ID

be audited in an automated and efficient

The content is based on my chapter in

badges),

manner. Effective healthcare provisioning

“Introduction to Medical Informatics” and

solutions

other talks and articles I’ve authored.

number

generating

tokens,

and biometric scanners are examples

40 Pulse+IT

must

provide

flexibility

in

www.pulseitmagazine.com.au

National E-Health Transition Authority www.nehta.gov.au

“

The speed at which medical service is provided will be

faster.

Better information means there is less chance of things going wrong.”

Devendra Maisnam Business Analyst, Information Modeller

Leading the progression of eHealth in Australia Join the NEHTA team The National E-Health Transition Authority (NEHTA) was established by the Australian Commonwealth, State and Territory governments on 5 July 2005 to develop better ways of electronically collecting and securely exchanging health information.

NEHTA is the lead organisation supporting the national vision for eHealth in Australia.

See how NEHTA’s work is helping to enable a better health system and support the Government’s goal of personally controlled electronic health records for all Australians.

Go to: www.nehta.gov.au

Use your health, informatics, analytical, project or architecture skills and join the NEHTA team who are making eHealth a reality in Australia

For up to date information on current opportunities see: www.nehta.gov.au ““The

flexibility

is brilliant – the opportunity and understanding of my situation after maternity leave is a huge help.”

Amy Richardson HR Business Partner

“The idea of being involved in something that could make a difference in Australia. You can actually see at the end of the line, your work has made a

difference.”

Tony Warren System Administrator

NEHTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Only people with the right to work in Australia may apply for these positions.

Enquiries and applications can be directed to: careers@nehta.gov.au

OFF TOPIC

Mobile devices security Alberto Tinazzi

IT Security Consultant eHealth Security Services atinazzi@ehealthsecurity.com.au

In the healthcare industry, having access to the right

online, keeping in touch with friends and family and

information at the right time is not only convenient but

accessing a huge amount of information via the web.

it could mean the difference between life and death.

In the near future a doctor may be able to look up

Security Risks

patients’ information in a shared electronic record

Due to the affordability of mobile equipment, the

from anywhere using a range of portable mobile

proliferation of cloud computing and the availability of

devices. This means, for instance, being able to find out

ever more powerful and reliable wireless technologies,

information such as blood type, allergies or particular

in the next few years we will witness a boost in the

medical conditions of an individual that has been

usage of mobile computing across all sectors. This

involved in a serious accident.

also applies to the health sector, where the benefits of

mobile computing are unquestionable.

Access to this information in real time gives the

health professional a much better chance of making

the right decision, in a more timely manner. Mobile

and business value but it also increases risk. Data

Data mobility increases collaboration, efficiency

computing may also be of great assistance to clinicians

externalisation is probably one of the biggest

working in hospitals as it allows them to access and

risks introduced by mobile devices and removable

update patient files in a very effective way. Doctors,

media. From the mid nineties onwards, data started

nurses and other paramedic staff benefit from being

travelling outside the physical perimeter of many

able to access and update a patient’s record from

businesses. With the widespread use of removable

anywhere, for example, when visiting a patient at

media (USB sticks, CDs and DVDs, external hard

home or in a residential facility.

drives etc) and mobile devices, data is even more

With the consumeratisation of IT, or in other words

externalised and in the future, the fast and inevitable

with the availability of ever more sophisticated and

uptake of cloud computing will lead towards full data

powerful IT devices entering the market, users are

de-perimeterisation.

becoming more demanding when it comes to data

accessibility. They expect to be able to access data

easily lost or stolen and the cost of replacing these

from anywhere, at any time and using the device of

devices becomes insignificant compared to the risks

their choosing.

associated with unauthorised access. A malicious

It follows that an increasing number of patients

person could use a stolen or misplaced mobile device

will start to expect their doctors to have access to

to steal its owner’s identity and send out messages

these technologies as well. Health professionals are

to their contacts. Pretending to be the owner, the

becoming more demanding of their technology.

perpetrator could use the information contained in

Outside of work they increasingly perform many tasks

the device to extort money from the owner, their

using their mobile phones or tablet devices, including

customers or patients.

online banking, processing online payments, shopping

Portable devices and removable media can be

Like regular PCs, mobile devices are also subject to

Author Info

the risk of malware. While portable PCs and PC tablets Alberto Tinazzi is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). He works as an independent information security consultant specialised in the healthcare sector. He has 16 years experience as an IT professional, specialised in information management and security. He has spent the last 10 years working within the health sector covering a number of different roles within the Division of General Practice Network.

may use conventional desktop antivirus and personal firewall software, these features are not commonly available on smartphones and tablets, making them extremely vulnerable. For this reason such devices are increasingly being targeted by hackers. A recent study

by Juniper Networks1 shows that mobile malware has grown 250% between 2009 and 2010.

42 Pulse+IT

www.pulseitmagazine.com.au

SMS

devices. Jailbreaking refers to a process

Bluetooth or via SMS or MMS messages.

trojans, which send SMS messages to

Common

that allows iOS devices to run applications

For example the “Curse of Silence” attack

premium numbers, or calling trojans that

not available in Apple’s official App

makes

make long distance calls. Key-logging

Store. Jailbroken devices are exposed

device unusable when simply receiving

applications that capture and transmit

to an exponentially higher risk than the

a

all user keystrokes and self-propagating

not-jailbroken ones, not only because

techniques also exist for iPhones, Windows

worms that can spread to all devices

they can install software from third

Mobile and Android phones.

listed on the phone’s address book are

party repositories, but also because they

also common. Malware is also available

enable services which, if not configured

growing exponentially in the last few years.

that allows hackers to take full control

properly, may allow remote access and

In early 2010 researchers demonstrated

of a mobile phone or tablet, where they

remote control of the device by malicious

the possibility of executing malicious code

can carry out a number of illegal activities

individuals.

on an iPhone by simply visiting a specific

such as storing unlawful or unethical

website.6 The exploit has been fixed but

material, launching Denial of Service or

aware of vulnerabilities introduced by

new ones will no doubt be discovered.

other attacks against other devices, or

flaws in the device’s operating system, as

activating microphones and the cameras

well as flaws in the applications installed

via Bluetooth. A user may be lured into

and listening to private conversations

on it. Last year for example, security

accepting an incoming file believing that

and

spying.

malware

includes

Commercially

Users of mobile devices should be

a

vulnerable Symbian

specifically

crafted

SMS.5

based Similar

Browser-based attacks have also been

Malicious code can also be delivered

available

analysts discovered a vulnerability in

it is a security update or a configuration

applications such as FlexiSpy, Mobile

PayPal’s iPhone application which allowed

setting sent by their mobile manufacturer

Spy and MobiStealth are very effective in

malicious individuals to capture users’

or carrier.

concealing themselves and their activities.

authentication credentials.3

Another vulnerability to which mobile

Bluetooth connection without changing

very quickly through the various ‘App

devices are subject is data communication

the default PIN. Some examples of worms

Stores’ which are repositories where

interception. Calls over a GSM network can

for Symbian that propagate via Bluetooth

users can download and install software.

be intercepted quite easily with around

are Caribe and CommWarrior.

Repositories managed by device vendors

$10,000 worth of equipment.4 Most

are relatively safe because they are

mobile devices are able to connect and

and unlike other wireless communication

managed by reputable organisations that

exchange data by using various different

networks, the Bluetooth network is rarely

review all applications hosted in their

technologies such as cellular networks,

monitored for intrusion detection. Most

stores.

WiFi and Bluetooth. While this is great

users feel safe when using Bluetooth

Malicious software is proliferating

Users may turn on their device’s

Bluetooth attacks are often undetected

Currently there are not many identified

from a connectivity point of view, it also

connections as it operates typically at a

malware products for Apple iPhones and

provides multiple exploitable channels

very short range, however, it is possible to

iPads, although there are a number of

than can be used both to remotely access

modify a Bluetooth adapter and extend its

applications that transmit information to

a device and to intercept data.

range of operation. In this way, malicious

third parties without the user’s knowledge

individuals may be able to attack devices

or consent.

to unprotected wireless access points

According to a study carried out by

operated by malicious individuals who

the Technical University of Vienna and

intend to gain access to the device and to

Securing Mobile Devices

the University of California, nearly half of

scan and capture all its wireless traffic.

Following is a list of precautions that

the applications installed on the devices

Direct attacks similar to the one

mobile device users should consider in

involved in the study leaked data to third

launched against regular computers are

order to protect their privacy and the

parties. The study also showed that

also possible against mobile devices.

confidentiality of the information stored

the amount of leakage was about the

However, besides typical network based

on, or accessed by, their devices:

same for applications downloaded from

Denial of Service or ‘buffer overflow’

• Mobile devices containing sensitive

the official Apple App Store than from

attacks, mobiles devices are also subject

information or being used to access

applications downloaded by ‘jailbroken’

to a range of different attacks operated via

this type of information should be

2

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Users may also be lured to connect

from several kilometres away.7

Pulse+IT 43

password protected and should be

think that data and security architecture

capable not only of authenticating a user

setup with an up-to-date antivirus

needs to deliver data to wherever is

but also of authenticating the device and

software

needed, and not be restricted to wherever

assessing if it is compliant with a series of

firewall. Be aware that password

it can be managed.

rules. For example, the NAC may check

protecting a device is not considered

embrace

if the device belongs to the organisation

enough as there are ways to bypass

mobile computing should develop a policy

or if it is an unknown device, in which

password protection to get data stored

on usage of mobile devices and provide

case it may be forced to erase any cached

in a lost or stolen device.

security awareness training to their users.

information when disconnecting from the

With the introduction of mobile

network. The NAC may also check if the

media or on portable devices should

computing our approach to information

device has up-to-date antivirus software

be encrypted.

security needs to change. The starting

and a personal firewall installed.

• Mobile computing devices should be

point when developing or reviewing

equipped with software that allow

security policies is to establish very clearly

application white-listing. This prevents not

remote tracking and remote data

what needs to be protected. The scope and

only malware, but any other application

wiping in case the device is lost or

level of protection should be specific and

that is not trusted to communicate and

stolen.

appropriate to the asset at risk.

exchange data with the organisation’s

solution and personal

• Information stored on removable

• Ensure that the device’s Bluetooth

Organisations

willing

to

NACs are also capable of enforcing

Most organisations rely on a threat

information systems. NACs may also

in

centric security model — its objective

prevent unauthorised access, scan all

non‑discoverable mode and switched

is to define what is bad, i.e. protect

incoming and outgoing traffic for malware

off if not in use.

against virus, software vulnerabilities,

and detect potential data leaks such as the

• Do not use a mobile device that has

unauthorised access, and so on. However,

transfer of credit card numbers.

been jailbroken to store or access

to deal with data externalisation we

sensitive data.

connection

is

operating

In order to produce the desired level

should switch to a trust centric security

of protection, NAC devices need to be

• Do not install any non-business related

model. This means not to trust anyone

constantly monitored and professionally

software on devices used for storing or

or anything by default and assess each

configured and managed.

accessing sensitive data and install only

element individually and independently.

applications coming from reputable

For each device, user or application we

connections

and trustworthy sources.

need to establish whether it is good or

through VPN connections to ensure

bad, what it is, where it comes from, and

encryption of information while it is being

for text messages or calls you did not

so on.

transferred. Multi-factor authentication

make, particularly if the bill is higher

information

such as fingerprint sensors, smartcard/USB

than what is expected.

should be granted only after successful

dongles and one-time passwords should

evaluation of a set of criteria, rather than

be considered.

on successful identification of the user.

Trust is no longer about identifying people

sensitive

but it is also about identifying devices,

current data protection strategies is very

The widespread adoption of removable

applications, data and agents.

irresponsible and a perfect recipe for

media and mobile devices provides a clear

disaster.

indication that people have an increasing

employees to use their own private mobile

need and desire to collaborate and share

devices to access business critical data,

organisations in which they work should

data.

then extra precaution should be taken

certainly embrace mobile computing, but

when identifying the type of device and

only once appropriate usage policies have

removable storage and mobile computing

whether it is compatible with the policy.

been established.

devices, business network boundaries are

no longer as well defined as they used to

and enforced through Network Access

References

be. Conventional security strategies are no

Control devices (NAC). These devices,

An expanded version of this article,

longer adequate to protect data.

which have been used by corporations for

including references and a table of risk

Distributed data is hard to track and

many years, have now become affordable

mitigation strategies is available online at

protect, however, the right approach is to

to small and medium businesses. NACs are

the Pulse+IT website: http://bit.ly/nsHi90

• Regularly check mobile phone bills

• Connect only to trusted access points.

Getting your practice ready for mobile computing

With the increasing adoption of

44 Pulse+IT

Access

to

sensitive

If an organisation’s policy allows its

These access rules may be established

Organisations of

should mobile

allow

devices

only

Connecting a wireless device to

Health

data

without

professionals

re-thinking

and

the

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Advantech Australia AAPM

P: 1800 196 000 or +61 3 9095 8712 F: +61 3 9329 2524 E: headoffice@aapm.org.au W: www.aapm.org.au The Australian Association of Practice Managers (AAPM) represents Practice Managers and the profession of Practice Management. Founded in 1979, AAPM is a non-profit, national association recognised as the professional body dedicated to supporting effective Practice Management in the healthcare profession.

The Australian Association of Practice Managers: • Represents Practice Managers and the profession of Practice Management throughout the healthcare industry.

• Promotes professional development and the code of ethics through leadership and education.

• Provides specialised services and networks to support quality Practice Management.

Advantech’s medical computing platforms are designed to enhance the quality and efficiency of healthcare for patients and users alike. All products match the performance of commercial PCs and tough medical safety ratings like UL60601-1 and EN60601-1; adding to this they are all IPX1 certified dust resistant and come with water dripproof enclosures. Advantech offers long term support and a proven track record of reliability.

The medical range extends through: • Point-of-Care Terminals.

• Mini-PC and Medical Imaging Displays.

• Mobile Medical Tablets.

• Patient Infotainment Terminals.

Advantech is also an official distributor of Microsoft Windows Embedded software across Australia & New Zealand.

P: +61 3 5335 2220 F: +61 3 5335 2211 E: argus@argusconnect.com.au W: www.argusdca.com.au

P: +61 412 746 457 F: +61 3 9569 9449 E: Secretary@ACHI.org.au W: www.ACHI.org.au

The Australasian College of Health Informatics is Australasia’s Health Informatics professional body, representing the interests of a broad range of clinical and non-clinical e-health professionals. ACHI is the community of Health Informatics thought-leaders in Australasia.

P: 1300 720 274 F: 1300 364 008 E: marketing@ch2.net.au W: www.ch2.net.au

Best Practice

P: +61 7 4155 8800 F: +61 7 4153 2093 E: sales@bpsoftware.com.au W: www.bpsoftware.com.au Best Practice sets the standard for GP clinical software in Australia offering a flexible suite of products designed for the busy GP practice, including: • Best Practice Clinical (“drop-in” replacement for MD) • Integrated Best Practice (clinical/ management) • Top Pocket (PDA companion software for Pocket PC)

Cerner Corporation Pty Limited P: +61 2 9900 4800 F: +61 2 9900 4990 E: AsiaPacific@cerner.com W: www.cerner.com.au

Argus

Australasian College of Health Informatics

CH2 (Clifford Hallam Healthcare)

P: 1300 308 531 F: +61 3 9797 0199 E: info@advantech.net.au W: www.advantech.net.au

Argus provides and supports Argus secure messaging software that enables doctors and healthcare organisations to exchange clinical documents securely and reliably.

Argus can be used to send specialist reports to referring doctors but it can also exchange pathology and radiology reports, hospital discharge summaries and notification between healthcare providers. Healthcare practitioners can use any of the popular clinical software packages to send reports and other clinical correspondence via Argus.

Argus is the messaging solution chosen by 65 Divisions of General Practice across Australia through the ARGUS AFFINITY program.

ACHI is committed to quality, standards and ethical practice in the Health Informatics profession.

More information is available at: www.ACHI.org.au Join the ACHI Info email list at: www.ACHI.org.au/List

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Cerner is a leading supplier of healthcare information systems and our Millennium suite of solutions has been successfully installed in over 1200 sites across the globe. Cerner’s technology has been designed so that it can be adapted to meet the needs of the very different healthcare delivery systems that exist, with a universal framework that allows clinician workflow to seamlessly span role and venue.

Our innovative leadership is allowing us to push boundaries by: • Leveraging clinical and pharmaceutical data for new discoveries in Condition Management and Personalised Medicine • Connecting the community with personal and community health records • Seamlessly connecting the patient record across the continuum of care

Clifford Hallam Healthcare (CH2) is today Australia’s largest pharmaceutical and medical healthcare service provider with a catalogue of over 30,000 products servicing metro, regional and rural customers across Australia.

Supported by a National Network, CH2 utilises local knowledge and local people to provide pharmaceuticals, medical consumables and equipment products to the healthcare market.

CH2 is represented by a National Sales Force as well as a local Customer Service team in each state.

CH2 understands the value of quality data and are committed to implementing the GS1 system throughout our business and with our partners. The use of EANCOM standard messages, Global Trade Item Numbers (GTIN) for product identification, Global Location Numbers (GLN) for location information and Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC) labels are paramount to our industry moving forward. CH2 are passionate supporters of these philosophies and believe the uplift in quality systems will result in improved patient safety.

CH2 are currently working with partners to implement the National E-Health Transition Authority (NEHTA) National Product Catalogue. “Our aim is to be a great company to do business with. The right product, at the right price, at the right time.”

WardBox® is CH2’s direct to ward distribution system. It is a just in time replenishment system where orders are created in a theatre or ward area and then transmitted electronically to one of CH2’s warehouses using SOS or an EDI interface. The service incorporates barcode scanning technology, direct delivery to individual wards or departments, monthly invoicing and comprehensive reporting. WardBox® is designed to assist our customers in reducing purchasing and supply operating costs. This valuable service increases supply chain efficiencies, improves service delivery models and assists in achieving economies of scale.

WardBox® distribution is used for pharmaceuticals, medical, surgical and general supplies at numerous healthcare facilities.

In 2009 CH2 won the ASCLA Information Management Award and are gold sponsors for the ASCLA Awards 2010.

Pulse+IT 45

Direct Control Clintel Systems

P: +61 8 8203 0555 E: info@clintel.com.au W: www.clintel.com.au The Specialist: A complete solution for your Appointments, Billing including Online Claiming and Clinical requirements in an intuitive scalable solution.

Clintel provides systems to Specialist and Day Surgeries nationally.

Powerful, highly configurable and easy to use, our systems mirror the needs and workflow of your practice and individual specialty.

Our industry standard SQL database enables a true “paperless” practice.

Our leading edge architecture is future proof, it is designed to meet changing requirements and offers first class reporting and analysis of clinical and business data. Standalone or networked multi-site installation which runs on both Mac OSX and Windows operating systems.

Our support is first class, our philosophy is “whatever it takes”.

Cutting Edge Software

P: 1300 237 638 F: +61 3 9787 8210 E: enquiries@cesoft.com.au W: www.cesoft.com.au Cutting Edge produces affordable, intuitive billing solutions for Mac, Windows, Linux and iPad. Cutting Edge is ideal for practitioners who prefer to maintain control of their own billing from a number of sites.

Cutting Edge Software is approved by Medicare Australia to manage your electronic: • Verification of Medicare and Fund membership • Bulk Bill and Medicare claims • DVA paperless claims • Inpatient claims to Health Funds We have solutions tailor-made for • Anaesthetists • Surgeons/Surgical Assistants • Physicians • GPs • Allied Health The software comes with up-to-date schedules for MBS/Rebate, Gap Cover (all registered health funds), Workers’ Compensation, Transport Accident authorities and DVA.

dbMotion Communicare Systems

P: +61 8 6212 6900 F: +61 8 6212 6980 E: sales@communicaresystems.com.au W: www.communicaresystems.com.au Established in 1994, Communicare Systems have built an enviable reputation for delivering results, supported by excellent service based on mutual respect, mutual trust and mutual benefit.

Communicare is the electronic medical records and practice management system of choice for Aboriginal Health Services employing multidisciplinary holistic healthcare, featuring: • Ease of use for all providers • Shared electronic health records • Standards based electronic messaging • Comprehensive easy to use automated reporting • Scalable from small service to multi organisational enterprise • Multi axial security and access logging

46 Pulse+IT

P: +61 2 8011 4885 E: info-aus@dbmotion.com W: www.dbmotion.com dbMotion’s connected healthcare solutions for shared electronic health records (Shared EHRs) and health information exchange (HIE) transform healthcare, empowering physicians and revolutionizing patient care for healthcare organisations. The service oriented architecture (SOA) based dbMotion™ Solution gives caregivers and information systems secure access to an integrated patient record composed from the patient’s medical data maintained at facilities that are otherwise unconnected or have no common technology through which to share data, without replacement of existing information systems.

Healthcare organisations using dbMotion have realised benefits in a wide variety of areas, ranging from patient safety, quality, efficacy, and IT agility.

P: 1300 557 550 F: +61 7 5478 5520 E: support@directcontrol.com.au W: www.directcontrol.com.au

Digital Medical Systems P: 1300 865 977 F: +61 3 9753 3049 E: inform@dgs.com.au W: www.dgs.com.au

Easier ICT is a technology partnership with DMS — we make I.T. work for you.

DIGITAL MEDICAL SYSTEMS has provided ICT solutions and services to medical practice clients across Australia since 1990. We have specialist expertise and experience in the installation and support of leading medical software applications.

DMS is a Business Partner for IBM, Lenovo, HP and Microsoft. Other leading ICT brands include Trend Micro, Symantec, CA, Cisco, Toshiba, Canon, Epson, Kyocera, Fujitsu and Brother.

Accreditation is easier with the customised DMS IT Systems Documentation. Ensure your practice has the best quality IT policy, security and maintenance program that meets and exceeds the standards guidelines from the RACGP and AGPAL and GPA. World leading DTech provides 24x7 near Real-Time Monitoring and Management that alerts and enables our engineers to quickly troubleshoot and solve problems of security, network, Internet, Server and software remotely on almost any client computer system or device.

Medical IT systems are automatically maintained by DTech to the most highly available status to minimize downtime by preventing problems from occurring or reducing their impact.

Proactive, Flexible, Consistent, Reliable, Audited, and Affordable — for even the smallest practice.

Call DMS for: • Systems Analysis & Consulting • Solutions Design • Procurement & supply of hardware, software, network and peripheral products • Installation & Configuration • Support Services inc Help Desk • DTech Monitoring, Maintenance & Management • Disaster Recovery solutions • Fully managed & automated Online Backup customised for clinical data Easier IT — we make I.T. work for you.

Direct CONTROL is an affordable, intuitive and educational Medical Billing and Scheduling application for Practitioners of all Disciplines.

Seamless integration with Outlook, MYOB or Quickbooks. Direct CONTROL’s Clinical Module manages Episodes of Care and includes State, Federal and Health Fund Statistical Reporting for Day Surgeries/Hospitals.

Direct CONTROL facilitates Medical Billing Australia-wide and overseas.

Included is all Medicare, DVA, Work Cover, Private Health Insurance fee schedules with built in rules relevant to each medical discipline (allied health, general practice, surgeons, physicians, anaesthetists, pathologists, radiologists, day surgeries/hospitals). Ideal for the single practitioner or the multidisciplinary Practice.

Direct CONTROL supports ALL your Business needs letting you and your staff get on with earning a living doing what you enjoy most … Patient Care.

eHealth Security Services

P: 1300 399 116 / +61 2 9016 5378 F: +61 2 9016 5379 E: info@ehealthsecurity.com.au W: www.ehealthsecurity.com.au eHealth Security Services (eHSS) specialises in the provision of security as a service and offers an extensive range of Managed IT Services including IT Support for small to medium businesses in the health sector. eHSS’ MediAccess® service provides comprehensive and cost-effective managed security and remote access solutions. eHSS has thorough knowledge and understanding of IT matters in the health industry and its regulatory aspects. eHSS has extensive experience reviewing and assisting with organisational policies and procedures and technical implementations against applicable standards.

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Emerging Health Solutions P: 02 8853 4700 F: 02 9659 9366 E: mail@emerging.com.au W: www.emerging.com.au

Emerging Health Solutions (EHS) is a web-based Clinical Information System for hospitals that is patientcentric capturing and providing appropriate, timely, clinical information in a secure and auditable environment. to assist clinicians deliver effective, quality care. Our prestigious clients include St Vincents & Mater Health Sydney and the Government of South Australia Department of Health.

EHS has integrated Sabacare’s Clinical Care Classifiaction (CCC) System, a diagnosis framework integrated in SNOMED CT. EHS’ extensive list of modules work seamlessly with other systems via our integrated interface engine which accepts HL7 and other accepted Health IT standard protocols complying with the Australian Technical Specification: ATS 5822:2010 eHealth Secure Message Delivery.

Extensia

P: +61 7 3292 0222 F: +61 7 3292 0221 E: enquiries@extensia.com.au W: www.extensia.com.au Extensia links healthcare providers, consumers and their communities to deliver better and more efficient health care outcomes. The products used to do this can be custom branded for all Organisations and include: • RecordPoint – a proven Shared Electronic Health Record that links all clinical systems, hospital settings, care plan tools and any other sources of information available. It provides a secure means of sharing critical patient data in a privacy compliant and logical structure.

• EPRX – an Electronic Patient Referral Exchange and Directory.

It streamlines the process of selecting a provider and completing a referral. Patient information is transferred seamlessly from clinical software, then the most relevant providers, services and products are presented instantly and referral documents are created automatically and sent electronically.

Equipoise (International) Pty Ltd Totalcare

Totalcare is a fully integrated Clinical, Office and Management software suite. Totalcare is stable, scalable, customisable and easy to learn and use. From a small practice to a distributed, multi site, multi disciplinary corporate entity or hospital, Totalcare can provide a solution for your needs.

Global Health

P: 1300 723 938 F: +61 3 9675 0699 E: sales@global-health.com W: www.global-health.com Global Health is a leading provider of e-health solutions that connect clinicians and consumers across the healthcare industry. Global Health’s portfolio consists of: • ReferralNet - a cloud-based secure message delivery system for the exchange of information between healthcare providers.

• MasterCare® - a suite of health information systems that provides tools to collect, manage and access clinical and patient information at the point of care.

• LifeCard® - a personal health management system for keeping all your important medical information in ONE secure location.

With LifeCard® you can maintain a personal health record, access emergency health information and be rewarded for looking after your health.

GPA

P: +61 7 3252 2425 F: +61 7 3252 2410 S: skype.totalcare.net.au E: sales@totalcare.net.au W: www.totalcare.net.au

Equipoise International Pty Ltd (EQI) is the developer and supplier of the ‘Totalcare’ clinical and office management system. Used since 1995 by health care facilities across Australia including General and Specialist practice, Radiology, Day Surgery and Hospitals.

Health Communication Network

P: 1800 188 088 F: 1800 644 807 E: info@gpa.net.au W: www.gpa.net.au

Genie Solutions

P: +61 7 3870 4085 F: +61 7 3870 4462 E: info@geniesolutions.com.au W: www.geniesolutions.com.au Genie is a fully integrated appointments, billing and clinical management package for Specialists and GPs. Genie runs on both Windows and Mac OS X, or a combination of both. With over 2000 sites, it is now the number one choice of Australian specialists.

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GPA ACCREDITATION plus has given general practices a reliable alternative in accreditation. GPA is committed to offering a flexible accreditation program that understands the needs of busy GPs and practice staff. GPA assigns all practices an individual quality accreditation manager to support practices with their accreditation.

Choose GPA for more support, improved service and greater choice.

P: +61 2 9906 6633 F: +61 2 9906 8910 E: hcn@hcn.com.au W: www.hcn.com.au

Health Communication Network (HCN) is the leading provider of clinical and practice management software for Australian GPs and Specialists and supplies Australia’s major hospitals with online Knowledge resources.

HCN focuses on improving patient outcomes by providing evidence based software tools to health care professionals at the point of care.

Market snapshot: • 17,000 medical professionals use Medical Director • 3,600 GP Practices use PracSoft • 800 Specialist Practices use Blue Chip and • 2,100 Specialists use Medical Director • Leading suppliers of Knowledge Resources to Australia’s major hospitals

Health Informatics Society of Australia P: +61 3 9388 0555 F: +61 3 9388 2086 E: hisa@hisa.org.au W: www.hisa.org.au

The Health Informatics Society of Australia is a membership based not-for-profit organisation which has been supporting and representing Australia’s health informatics and e-health community for almost 20 years. HISA aims to improve healthcare through the use of technology and information. We: • Provide a national focus for e-health, health informatics, its practitioners, industry and a broad range of stakeholders • Support, promote and advocate • Provide opportunities for networking, learning and professional development • Are effective champions for the value of health informatics HISA members are part of a national network of people and organisations building a healthcare future enabled by e-health. Join the growing community of organisations and individuals who are committed to, and passionate about, health reform enabled by e-health.

Pulse+IT 47

InterSystems

P: +61 2 9380 7111 F: +61 2 9380 7121 E: anz.query@InterSystems.com W: www.InterSystems.com

Health Information Management Association Australia P: +61 2 9887 5001 F: +61 2 9887 5895 E: himaa@himaa.org.au W: www.himaa.org.au

The Health Information Management Association of Australia (HIMAA) is the peak professional body of Health Information Managers in Australia.

HIMAA aims to support and promote the profession of health information management.

HIMAA is also a Registered Training Organisation conducting, by distance education, “industry standard” training courses in Medical Terminology and ICD-10-AM, ACHI and ACS clinical coding.

InterSystems Corporation is the worldwide leader in breakthrough solutions for connected care, with headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and offices in 23 countries. InterSystems TrakCare™ is a Web-based healthcare information system that rapidly delivers the benefits of an Electronic Patient Record. InterSystems Ensemble® is a seamless platform for integration and the development of connectable applications. InterSystems HealthShare™ is a strategic platform for healthcare informatics, providing capabilities for sharing of clinical information, comprehensive advanced analytics, building clinician and patient Web-based communities, and quickly filling informational and functional cross-system “gaps.”

InterSystems DeepSee™ is software that makes it possible to embed real‑time business intelligence capabilities in transactional applications. InterSystems CACHÉ® is a high performance object database that makes applications faster and more scalable.

Australia’s and New Zealand’s largest effective secure communication network.

• Referrals, Reports, Forms, Discharge Summaries, Diagnostic Order and Reporting • Provider of Secure Messaging Delivery (SMD) services • Fully integrated with leading GP and Specialist clinical systems • Robust; Reliable and Fully Supported Join the network that more than 70 percent of GPs use for diagnostic, specialist and hospital communications.

ISN Solutions

P: 1300 300 471 F: +61 2 9280 2665 E: info@isnsolutions.com.au W: www.isnsolutions.com.au ISN Solutions is a medical IT company that specialises in the design, setup and maintenance of computer networks for medical practices.

Our consultants and engineers are dedicated to the medical industry, understand your business needs and know what is required to run a practice. We strive to take away the pain from you, on managing the day to day IT issues regardless of which medical application you use. Our claim is supported by strong industry references.

Some of our solutions include but are not limited to: • A paperless practice • Speech Recognition • Capped cost medical support & maintenance plan • Ability to consult remotely • Linking your imaging equipment to your network • Medical application Support

48 Pulse+IT

P: +61 2 8251 6700 F: +61 2 8251 6801 E: company_enquiry@isofthealth.com W: www.isofthealth.com iSOFT is one of the world’s largest providers of healthcare IT solutions.

We work with healthcare professionals to design, develop and implement healthcare solutions that deliver administrative, clinical and diagnostic services to ensure continuity of care across all care settings. iSOFT provides flexible and interoperable solutions to the whole spectrum of providers, from single physician practices through to integrated national solutions supporting thousands of concurrent users.

Our capacity to embrace change and keep abreast of emerging new directions in healthcare has allowed our clients to explore the exciting potential of new technologies while securing their existing investments.

MIMS Australia

P: +61 2 9902 7700 F: +61 2 9902 7701 E: info@mims.com.au W: www.mims.com.au MIMS Australia is built on a heritage of local expertise, credibility and adaptation to changing healthcare provider needs. Our information gathering, analysis and coding systems are proven and robust.

MIMS information is backed by MIMS trusted, rigorous editorial process and constantly updated from a variety of sources including primary research literature. Our database and decision support modules are locally relevant, clinically reviewed and updated monthly and compatible with a host of clinical software packages. Indeed, the majority of Australian prescribing packages and many dispensing applications are supported by the MIMS medicines data base.

MIMS is delivered all the ways you need – print to electronic, on the move, to your patient’s bedside or your consulting room desk. Whatever the format, MIMS has the latest information you need.

MEDITECH Australia

P: +61 2 9901 6400 F: +61 2 9439 6331 E: sales@meditech.com.au W: www.meditech.com.au A Worldwide Leader in Health Care Information Systems

HealthLink

P: 1800 125 036 (AU) P: 0800 288 887 (NZ) E: enquiries@healthlink.net W: www.healthlink.net

iSOFT

MEDITECH today stands at the forefront of the health care information systems industry. Our products serve well over 2,300 health care organisations around the world. Large health care enterprises, multi‑hospital alliances, teaching hospitals, community hospitals, rehabilitation and psychiatric chains, long-term care organisations, physicians’ offices, and home care and hospice agencies all use our Health Care Information System to bring integrated care to the populations they serve. Our experience, along with our financial and product stability, assures our customers of a long-term information systems partner to help them achieve their goals.

Mouse Soft Australia Pty Ltd

P: +61 3 9888 2555 F: +61 3 9888 1752 E: sales@medicalwizard.com.au W: www.medicalwizard.com.au Medical Wizard saves time and money through greater efficiency and comprehensive integration.

Throughout its 17 year history, Medical Wizard has led the way with innovative solutions. We are constantly evolving Medical Wizard to meet the challenges of the medical profession for today and tomorrow.

A software of choice for discerning Specialist practices, notably Gastroenterologists, Cosmetic Surgeons, Ophthalmologists, General Surgeons, IVF Centres and Day Hospitals amongst others.

All aspects of practice management from appointments, billing, clinical, theatre management and compliance reporting are covered and backed by a dedicated local support team.

Feature Rich. Dynamic. Innovative.

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SR Logo_65x42mm.pdf

Pen Computer Systems Nuance Communications MITS:Health

P: 1300 700 300 E: info@mitshealth.com.au W: www.mitshealth.com.au Managed IT Services for the Health Industry MITS:Health provides a full range of IT services specifically tailored for medical centres, GPs and specialists across Melbourne.

• • • • • •

Equipment supply and installation Remote monitoring and support Data backups Networking Internet Website Development

P: 1300 550 716 F: +61 2 9434 2301 E: Vicki.Rigg@nuance.com W: www.nuance.com/au

Nuance (NASDAQ: NUAN) is a leading provider of speech and imaging solutions for businesses and consumers around the world.

Its technologies, applications and services make the user experience more compelling by transforming the way people interact with information and how they create, share and use documents.

Every day, millions of users and thousands of businesses utilise Nuance’s proven range of productivity applications which include Dragon NaturallySpeaking (speech recognition), OmniPage (OCR), PaperPort (document management) and PDF Converter Professional (PDF creation and conversion).

P: +61 2 9635 8955 F: +61 2 9635 8966 E: enquiries@pencs.com.au W: www.pencs.com.au

20/02/09

C

M

Y

CM

Established in 1993, Pen Computer MY Systems (PCS) specialises in developing information solutionsCYfor National and State eHealth initiatives in Primary Health that deliver better CMY Chronic Disease outcomes.

K

PCS expertise extends to: • Chronic Disease Prevention and Management • Population Health Status, Reporting and Enhanced Outcomes • Decision-Support tools delivered LIVE into the clinical consult • Web-based Electronic Health Records (EHRs) • SNOMED-CT and HL7 Standards Frameworks Our Clinical Audit Tool (CAT) for example delivers an intuitive population reporting and patient identification extension to the leading GP systems in Australia. CAT delivers enhanced data quality and patient outcomes in general practice.

SmartRooms by Doctorware P: +61 3 9499 4622 F: +61 3 9499 1397 E: sales@doctorware.com.au W: www.doctorware.com.au

SmartRooms provides a comprehensive software solution for specialist practices for both Mac and Windows.

Comprising both practice management and clinical software, our all-in-one patient record and superior after-sales support provides the basis for a stable and time effective software solution for specialist practices of all sizes.

SmartRooms is available in an appointments and billing-only version for practices with uncomplicated software needs.

NEHTA

P: +61 2 8298 2600 F: +61 2 8298 2666 E: admin@nehta.gov.au W: www.nehta.gov.au The National E-Health Transition Authority was established by the Australian, State and Territory governments to develop better ways of electronically collecting and securely exchanging health information. NEHTA is the lead organisation supporting the national vision for eHealth in Australia.

Orion Health

P: +61 2 8096 0000 / +64 9 638 0600 F: +61 2 8096 0001 / +64 9 638 0699 E: enquiries@orionhealth.com W: www.orionhealth.com Orion Health is a world leader in the e-health industry. We specialise in electronic health record (EHR) solutions, disease management, clinical decision support, and hospital administration tools. More than 300,000 clinicians in 30 countries use Orion Health products.

Our EHR solutions have been widely adopted across Canada, Europe and the USA to enable secure crossorganisational and regional sharing of patient information, resulting in improved patient care.

Our Rhapsody Integration Engine, a healthcare dedicated and standards based Integration hub, is used by customers to easily create interoperability between existing healthcare information systems.

Our solutions are designed to support emerging health IT trends and standards, we work closely with our customers, clinicians, government bodies and other industry leaders to deliver intuitive solutions to meet your current and future needs.

www.pulseitmagazine.com.au

Software of Excellence

P: +61 3 8872 5500 F: +61 3 8872 5524 E: sales@oasis-software.com.au W: www.oasis-software.com.au

Medilink

from Practice Services P/L

P: +61 3 9819 0700 F: +61 3 9819 0705 E: Sales@practiceservices.com.au W: www.practiceservices.com.au Medilink Practice Management Software • 21 years young, large user base • Medilink = Intuitive ease of use • Solo Drs up to Hospitals in size • Claiming via integrated EFTPOS àà and/or integrated HICAPS àà and/or Medicare Online àà and/or ECLIPSE • Many standard features • Many optional modules • Links to many third party packages and services • Cut debtors and boost cash flow • 17 years as an Authorised Medilink Dealer, selling, installing & training • Fixed Cost Support, Onsite or Remote

Developed in Australia by the leading practice management provider in the Dental Market, OASiS Software has now released OASiS Health.

Already used by Medical Specialists, Physiotherapists, Chiropractors, Podiatrists, Physiologists and a variety of other Allied Health Professionals.

With full appointment book and clinical functionality, many customers have used OASiS Health to create the paperless practice by taking advantage of OASiS Health powerful document and image handling features.

Described as the most flexible practice management system available, OASiS Health specialises in Multi-Branch, Multi-Practitioner and Multi-Discipline practices.

OASiS Health is designed to create a Healthy, Profitable business.

Pulse+IT 49

Spellex

P: +61 2 8014 4573 E: info@spellex.com.au W: www.spellex.com.au Spellex has been the leading provider of comprehensive medical dictionary enhancement software to thousands of the world’s most prominent healthcare companies for 21 years.

Our easy-to-use Australian medical spell checking software integrates fully with all Microsoft programmes, Web-based applications, and popular platforms.

Spellex Medical is available for end-users to ensure the medical accuracy of documents and to enhance their productivity. Spellex software development kits can also be integrated with developer’s custom programmes and Web sites. Whether you’re an individual transcriptionist or you need to provide greater medical documentation accuracy across an entire hospital or campus, Spellex has a solution that’s right for you.

For a free trial of Spellex software, go to spellex.com.au and click the Free Trial tab.

Sysmex New Zealand

Stat Health Systems (Aust) has built a progressive and resilient system that introduces a new level of stability and flexibility to the medical software market. Stat is an integrated clinical and practice management application which has embraced the latest Microsoft technology to build a new generation solution.

Fully scalable and the only medical software application to incorporate a multi-functional intuitive interface, Stat is at the forefront of computing technology.

Stat Health provide a premium support service, clinical data conversion from existing software and tailor made installation and training plans for your practice.

50 Pulse+IT

P: 1800 061 260 E: sales@tg.org.au W: www.tg.org.au

Sysmex New Zealand is a market leader in the development and implementation of health IT products and services for clinical laboratories, hospitals and healthcare organisations.

We offer the following health IT solutions: • Delphic LIS – a market-leading laboratory information system for hospital and community laboratories with a strength in providing multi-lab solutions.

Specialised modules manage workflows in the anatomical pathology, haematology and microbiology work areas.

• Eclair – an advanced clinical data repository (CDR) which stores patient data from a range of systems including laboratory, radiology, pharmacy and clinical document sources to create a secure patient-centric record.

Eclair provides complete electronic ordering functionality.

Real Outcomes Real Productivity Minimising Waste

Stat Health Systems (Aust)

P: +61 7 3121 6550 F: +61 7 3219 7510 E: carla.doolan@stathealth.com.au W: www.stathealth.com.au

Therapeutic Guidelines Ltd

P: +64 9 630 3554 F: +64 9 630 8135 E: info@sysmex.co.nz W: www.sysmex.co.nz

Trend Care Systems

P: +61 7 3390 5399 F: +61 7 3390 7599 E: support@trendcare.com.au W: www.trendcare.com.au A national and international award winning solution recognised for its ability to provide real benefits in the acute and sub-acute health care settings.

TrendCare is an international leader for e-health solutions excelling in all of the following: • Patient dependency and nursing intensity measures.

• Projecting patient throughput and workforce requirements.

• Rostering and work allocation.

• Efficiency, productivity and HRM reporting.

• Discharge analysis, bed management and clinical handovers.

• Allied health registers with extensive reporting.

• Clinical pathways with variance reporting.

• Patient assessments and risk analysis.

• Diet ordering and reporting.

• Staff health tracking and reporting.

Vensa Health

Therapeutic Guidelines Limited is an independent not-for-profit organisation dedicated to deriving guidelines for therapy from the latest world literature, interpreted and distilled by Australia’s most eminent and respected experts.

These experts, with many years of clinical experience, work with skilled medical editors to sift and sort through research data, systematic reviews, local protocols and other sources of information, to ensure that the clear and practical recommendations developed are based on the best available evidence. eTG complete Incorporates all topics from the Therapeutic Guidelines series in a searchable electronic product, and is the ultimate resource for the essence of current available evidence.

It provides access to over 3000 clinical topics, relevant PBS, pregnancy and breastfeeding information, key references, and other independent information such as Australian Prescriber (including Medicines Safety Update), NPS Radar, NPS News and Cochrane Reviews. eTG complete is available in a range of convenient formats – online access, online download, CD, and intranet access for hospitals. Multi-user licences, ideal for a practice or clinic, are also available.

It is widely used by practitioners and pharmacists in community and hospital settings in all Australian states and territories.

Updated three times per year, eTG complete meets the criteria for ‘key electronic clinical resources’ in the Practice Incentives Program (PIP) eHealth Incentive.

Therapeutic Guidelines was awarded ‘Best eBook Publisher’ for eTG complete in 2009 by The Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers. miniTG The mobile version of eTG complete is miniTG, offering the convenience of having vital information at the point of care and designed for health professionals who practise and consult on the move. It is supported on a wide range of mobile devices, including Apple®, Pocket PC®, and selected Blackberry® devices.

P: +64 9 522 9522 F: +64 9 522 9523 E: website@vensahealth.com W: www.vensahealth.com The next time you receive a text message mobile reminder or an alert from your doctor, hospital or physio you now know its done by Vensa.

Vensa Health is a mobile health (mHealth) provider in the health care sector offering eHealth integrated mobile solutions, enabling text-messaging for patient communications for applications such as appointment reminders, medication reminders, test results alerts, recalls for screenings such as mamograms, immunisations and more.

Vensa has invested substantially into developing products and services that offer communication solutions to better content providers with patients, including mobile text-messaging, voice, mobile sites and Telehealth services delivery.

Zedmed

P: +61 3 9284 3300 F: +61 3 9284 3399 E: sales@zedmed.com.au W: www.zedmed.com.au Owned by Doctors who understand the challenges facing the medical profession everyday and backed by nearly 30 years of experience in medical software programming, Zedmed provides innovative, full featured and sophisticated practice management and clinical records software solutions.

Zedmed would also like to introduce to you Medical Record eXchange – a free, simple solution allowing Doctors to send patient’s medical information to insurance companies electronically.

Using the latest in data extraction technology and fully encrypted, this is a secure, time-saving solution to one of the most dreaded requests Doctors receive on an almost daily basis.

For more information please visit: www.medicalrecordexchange.com.au

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PERSISTENCE SS C

PERFORMANCE

perfection

AAPM NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Burswood Entertainment Complex Perth Western Australia 18 – 21 October 2011

• • • • • •

Pre-conference Workshops

• • • • •

Welcome Reception

Breakfast meetings

Including workshops on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 October

Convocation AAPM AGM Plenary Sessions Concurrent Sessions

Happy Hour First Time Attendees Dinner Matilda Bay Dinner AAPM Gala Conference Dinner

Early Bird Registration closes 19 August 2011

Visit the website for:

• • •

Program and presenters Online registration details Descriptions of social functions, workshops and breakfasts

www.cdesign.com.au/aapm 2011