Victoria signs with Cerner

Australia’s state of Victoria has selected Cerner as its latest healthcare IT partner. The value of the deal was not disclosed.

Under an agreement signed with the Victorian Department of Human Service’s Cerner will provide the company’s Millennium clinical IT solutions to public hospitals and clinics across Australia’s most populous state.

In January iSoft was awarded a contract by the State of Victoria’s DHS to provide an integrated patient and client management solution to revolutionise the way patient health records are managed in health services across the State.

The Cerner deal forms the latest part of the DHS’s A$323 HealthSMART programme, and will bring Cerner’s Millennium solutions to hospitals across Victoria – a state with five million people, or about a quarter of the Australian population.

An industry source spoken to by E-Health Insider said that Victoria’s DHS appeared to have chosen to implement Cerner clinicals on top of a standard iSoft patient administration system. 

The HealthSMART programme aims to improve patient care and reduce the administrative burden on healthcare professionals with a standardised approach to information technology through the introduction of common systems.

The programme is based on establishing clinician tools and patient records that can be used across the state. Clinicians will be able to retrieve medical information quickly and easily allowing them more time to deliver personalised care.

Cerner’s Millennium software selected will provide clinicians instant access to test results medical histories and medication records. Computerised order entry will allow physicians to enter orders directly into the system, while providing decision support through reminders, alerts and recommendations.

"Throughout the world, health systems are taking strides to eliminate the errors and inefficiencies caused by today’s paper-based system, and the Victorian Government is committed to that effort," said Victorian Health Minister Bromwyn Pike. "The selection of Cerner will enable public hospitals and clinics in Victoria to be connected, creating a more unified and integrated care network for its citizens."

"The state of Victoria is taking a leadership role in the global drive to improve patient safety and reduce medical error, and we are proud to dedicate our resources to be part of that effort," said Trace Devanney, Cerner president. "With Cerner as the IT provider for all public hospitals and clinics, Victoria will reach its goal to improve the delivery of safe, efficient healthcare."