InterSystems implements Aussie-developed health IT system

Peter Dinham
Friday, 06 November 2009 11:01

IT Industry - Deals

Global healthcare systems vendor, InterSystems, has implemented its Australian-developed software, TrakCare, for the States of Guernsey Health and Social Services Department (HSSD). The island-wide Electronic Health and Social Care Record (EHSCR) system has just gone live, replacing the island’s SWIFT Patient Administration System after 13 years of use.

Intersystems has also simultaneously implemented new Accident & Emergency (A&E) and Theatre software, with functionality all provided by the TrakCare connected healthcare information system that provides the single, shared electronic health record of the EHSCR.

The HSSD’s chief officer, David Hughes, said the “November 'go live' of the TrakCare PAS, A&E and Theatre modules included specialist Child Health software from CSE Servelec that was chosen by InterSystems and interfaced with TrakCare using InterSystems Ensemble rapid integration and development platform.”

According to Hughes, to meet its needs Guernsey has developed a “healthcare delivery framework for all elective and emergency services using a specially formed group of clinicians, The Medical Specialist Group (MSG),” adding that “for appropriate governance MSG accesses all records and appointments information via the HSSD.  One of the key benefits of the EHSCR project will be to provide a safer and more efficient service by eliminating its previous largely paper-based data-handling system.”

Hughes said TrakCare was selected as the basis for the EHSCR because it creates a single patient index for all the island's residents and will facilitate better communication between providers across all care sectors. He also said that all support staff will access a single, integrated record, “no matter where they are located,” and that this “will ensure they always work with the most up-to-date and comprehensive patient information thereby enabling timely, informed decision-making, which will enhance the standard of care and improve the patient experience.

"The previous system involved too much form filling and letter writing to transfer information around the HSSD and between the MSG and GP surgeries. This all took time and could delay the prompt treatment of our patients. As the EHSCR project moves forward, we can look forward to a greatly streamlined approach to patient care."

According to Alan Chapman, programme manager at Guernsey HSSD, “the teamwork between the States of Guernsey project team and the InterSystems implementation team has been as crucial to the project's successful progress as the appropriateness of the overall IT solution," and he said “InterSystems and our own project team worked exceptionally well together, demonstrating a highly flexible approach.