EHI Live 2010: industry round up

This special edition of EHI’s industry round-up covers product launches, partnerships and news from eHealth Insider Live 2010.

ISoft enters business intelligence market

ISoft launched a modular business intelligence product at EHI Live 2010. Health Intelligence links to iSoft’s patient administration systems or to a third party system through bespoke connectors and extracts data to support business decisions. ISoft is working in partnership with BI specialist Insource to help healthcare professionals to collaborate and share accurate and personalised information when and where needed. Adrian Stevens, iSoft managing director UK and Ireland, said: “Working with Insource, iSoft is able to offer cost-efficient, modular solutions that are available now and which will continue to develop as our customers’ needs evolve and grow.”

Agfa HealthCare launches Document Management

Agfa Healthcare has launched the HYDMedia document management system to the UK market. The system enables trusts to digitally archive healthcare information – including paper-based documents, laboratory data and diagnostic images – and view them through a web based portal. Grant Witheridge, general manager of Agfa HealthCare UK, said: "Hospitals around the UK are still faced with paper-based archives so extensive that they often require multiple storage buildings to house them. Agfa HealthCare’s HYDMedia Document Management System helps hospitals move their information management into the 21st Century.”

EMIS: ‘NHS Suppliers must provide interoperable systems’

Sean Riddell, the chief executive of EMIS, has called for the Department of Health to prevent suppliers whose systems are not interoperable with others from being able to secure contracts with the NHS. Speaking in an EHI TV interview at EHI Live 2010, Riddell said companies that will not partner with each other in the current economic climate are more likely to fail and stifle innovation. In June, EMIS formed a joint venture with competitor INPS to enable data sharing via a Medical interoperability Gateway.

IMS Maxims provides records access at bedside

IMS Maxims officially launched IMS Bedside at EHI Live 2010. IMS Bedside provides access to patient records on the iPad and iPhone and is available for a free trial from the Apple app store. Shane Tickell, IMS Maxims chief executive, said: “Being able to review a patient’s records while you are sitting with them can be a huge advantage. And for clinicians who work across several hospitals it can be very valuable to be kept up to date with particular cases. MAXIMS Bedside means they can be alerted if something happens, like a change of temperature or the arrival of a vital test result.”

Sollis integrates advanced risk stratification software

Sollis, a supplier of analytical, reporting and commissioning systems has announced the successful integration of advanced predictive modelling and risk stratification software into its Clarity product suite. The company says that the latest developments will complement its existing suite of commissioning tools, which support contract management, practice based commissioning and claims management. It will help users to assess provider performance, set capitation and budgets and allows help commissioning bodies to plan for future healthcare provision requirements.

BNF launches knowledge integration solutions

The British National Formulary has launched a range of datasets and tools to allow the integration of referential and dose information into clinical workflows. Its datasets can now be integrated with Cerner’s NHS Millennium application. BNF knowledge continues to be available within EMIS, the main e-prescribing system in UK primary care, while pharmacists can benefit from a partnership with McLernon computers to make the BNF and BNF for Children available wherever they need it. Additional access is available to other key references such as Martindale and Stockley on the MedicinesComplete platform.

Contextual links from the Ascribe Electronic Prescribing application to the relevant information in the BNF helps pharmacists in the dispensing process. Duncan Enright, Publishing Director of BNF Publications said: “We recognise the increasing importance of clinical support systems within the NHS. The new digital developments from the BNF ensure that doctors and pharmacists can access up to date information about the medicines they prescribe, dispense and administer on-line”.

First combined NHS and LA IT service saves 10%

Zack Pandor, the joint IT director of the council and the NHS in Herefordshire (the first county to create such a shared service), has said that the decision to combine the two has resulted in a 10% reduction in its overall budget. During an EHI TV interview at EHI Live 2010, Pandor said that the service had reduced headcount, rationalised its data centres, network and procurement of major systems to realise the cash benefits.“We’re hoping for another 10% over the next year or so by optimising services, so that will take us to about 20%,” he added. Pandor also said that by combining datasets across the PCT, emergency services and local authority they were able to better target their services at citizens.