iSoft claim Australian successes

iSoft have announced the initial rollout of its iPM PAS system at Orange Base Hospital, in Orange, near Sydney, Australia.

The implementation of the patient administration system is the first stage of the Manchester-based company’s scheme to rollout iPM to 123 public hospitals in New South Wales.

iSoft is working with the state’s healthcare IT and shared services agency, HealthTechnology, to allow all hospitals in the area covered by the Greater West Area Health Service (GWAHS) access to a shared patient record through iPM.

Dr Clare Blizard, CEO of the Greater West Area Health Service (GWAHS), said: "We feel we have full control of our project, but can still rely on iSoft’s expertise and technical support. They are training our people so that we can manage our own rollout across the other hospitals in an easy and efficient manner."

"There will be one database across all GWAHS hospitals so that each patient will have a single unique file and medical alert. This will lead to improved workflow and increased efficiency."

Nigel Lutton, Australia and New Zealand managing director for iSoft, said: "Smarter information management delivering standardised information through a single, multi-campus solution will not only benefit patients directly, but hospital staff who use the information as well.

"The benefits and success of this technology have been demonstrated in other Area Health Services in NSW and hospitals throughout Australia and New Zealand."

Frank Cordingly, general manager for HealthTechnology, said that the implementation of PAS systems across NSW would "deliver significant benefits, allowing clinicians and managers to focus on the core business of providing patient care as well as giving the State a co-ordinated approach to IT."

iSoft is also working elsewhere in NSW, with a go-live of iPM at St George’s Hospital in south-east Sydney as part of a rollout to 21 hospitals, among numerous other projects in the area.

In other iSoft news, Bill Henry, ex-CEO of Star Technology Services, has been appointed new chief operating officer. Henry will report to John Weston, who is chair and since Tim Whiston’s departure earlier this month, acting CEO.

He said on his appointment: "There is a huge market opportunity in the healthcare IT space over the next five years. With solid execution and intense focus on serving our customers, iSoft’s advanced products and many years of experience will enable it to capitalise on the market opportunity. I am delighted to be joining the company."

Henry’s previous posts include a place on the executive team at Peoplesoft and similar roles at CSC and Sprint.