Category: News

New e-Referral SmartForm for Canberra Health Services

Posted on by Lauren Turner

Life for Canberra and southern NSW GPs just got a whole lot easier with the introduction of a new, secure e-Referral system.

The launch of the new e-Referral SmartForm follows a successful eight-week pilot program with 16 practices.

Patients can now be referred electronically to Canberra Health Services (CHS) outpatient and community services in real time from within a GP’s practice management system (PMS) in one easy, seamless process.

The new standardised SmartForm is integrated within the latest versions of Best Practice, Genie and Medical Director PMSs making it easy for GPs to access and use.

Successful pilot programme

The launch of the new Smart Form follows a successful eight-week pilot programme with a select group of Canberra GPs. This was led by the CHS project team and supported by ACT Health and HealthLink.

The engagement with GPs across Canberra was extremely valuable to ensure that systems were functional on both ends within the infrastructure constraints.

Throughout the pilot period the CHS project team were proactive in resolving GPs concerns to ensure a safe, timely and efficient referral process. This resulted in making the SmartForm more user friendly and GPs having confidence in the process.

“It was important we trialled the system and listened to feedback from users, which we did. The feedback helped us modify and streamline the system and make it better for users, for example, resolving issues around attaching HTML documents, speed concerns and login problems,” the team says.

“For GPs, this should become the most efficient way to refer into CHS. For people receiving the e-Referral, it’s quick, secure and easy with all of the required patient information, which in the end is better for patient outcomes.”

CHS will continue to engage with the GP community to further evaluate and monitor this.

Benefits

The CHS outpatient management team says the benefits of e-Referrals are massive, including saving GPs precious time.

It’s particularly important GPs know their e-Referral has made it to its intended location. With e-Referrals, GPs get an immediate acknowledgement from CHS that it’s been received, with a unique reference number. This is a small step towards a seamless digital referral process in the future.

The new SmartForm can be pre-populated with patient demographics, past medical and medication history, directly from the PMS, saving GPs time and hassle.

In addition, GPs can clearly see an accurate, up-to-date list of CHS outpatient and community services they can e-Refer to, making the process fast and efficient. The Smart Form includes a drop-down list of current CHS Specialists, Allied Health and Nursing Services.

GPs can also easily attach relevant supporting documents such as reports, letters and results that enables effective triage process and reduces delays.

Work has now commenced on taking advantage of the SMART in the SmartForm by developing service specific templates where they will add further to streamlining referral and triaging process.

If you would like to obtain access to the e-referral SmartForm, would like more information or have any questions, please contact HealthLink on 1800 125 036 or email helpdesk@healthlink.net

CHS has produced a handy FAQ sheet for GPs and a web page with quick start guides for different PMSs.


Liverpool implement Bluespier Trust-wide as part of Aintree merger

Posted on by sobold_admin_16

Bluespier has been kept as system of choice for orthopaedic trauma, virtual fracture clinics and theatre scheduling as longstanding customer Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust merges with Aintree University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Following the successful forming of Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and discussions across clinical teams on best practice, Bluespier software is now used to manage orthopaedic virtual fracture clinics, trauma cases and elective theatre scheduling across all three hospital sites. This is in conjunction with the organisation’s EPR system.

The already well-used Bluespier Trauma Board has moved from the Royal Liverpool University Hospital site to Aintree University Hospital to manage the orthopaedic trauma cases that require admission via the regional trauma unit.

Bluespier Virtual Fracture Clinic has been extended across to Aintree University Hospital to provide a streamlined approach to managing fracture patients across Merseyside.

Broadgreen Hospital continues to utilise Bluespier’s elective orthopaedic waiting list and scheduling functionality to support it receiving all orthopaedic elective cases across the Trust from late November.

Nearly 100 staff across the Trust were trained by the Bluespier training team to ensure staff across all three sites were confident in using Bluespier as part of their care delivery. All training, software configurations and set up was completed in just 10 working days.

Stuart van Rooyen, Managing Director of Bluespier, said: “We are delighted to see these two organisations merge into one, streamlined and effective NHS Trust which will give patients in Merseyside a consistent and cohesive care journey.

“The Trust merger deadlines were incredibly time-sensitive so we knew we had to deliver an effective configuration and training programme in a very short timescale.

“We are proud to be ongoing software partners with the organisation in trauma, theatres and outpatients and look forward to continuing our strong relationship with managers, clinicians and administrative staff.”

A family affair at HiNZ Conference

Posted on by Lauren Turner

It was a family affair at the recent HiNZ Conference, with HealthLink, Toniq and Konnect NET exhibiting together for the first time under the Clanwilliam ANZ Group banner.

The annual digital health conference was held this year at Claudelands in Hamilton from 18–24 November and was the biggest yet with 1,250 delegates, 120 booths and 300 speakers.

HealthLink, Toniq and Konnect NET, which are New Zealand companies, have all recently joined the Dublin-based healthcare technology company, Clanwilliam Group.

HealthLink CEO Michelle Creighton says the conference was a great opportunity to showcase together what the three companies are doing in the health IT space.

“It’s a really fun opportunity for us to get together and is mutually beneficial. Having long-term partners is crucial for the sector and we have that because we are part of the Clanwilliam family.”

Mrs Creighton says there are big problems to be solved in the sector.

“We need collaboration and partnerships to solve those problems and together we are greater than the sum of our parts.”

She says Clanwilliam has an incredible understanding of the health IT sector.

“We are on the world stage with them and they understand our business and let us do our business, which is fantastic.”

A more powerful base

Konnect NET CEO Mike Weiss says having friends and sister companies to work with is hugely beneficial.

“The world is changing fast and connecting and collaborating with others creates a more powerful base. Each company brings its own expertise and knowledge to the table,” Mr Weiss says.

“Being part of Clanwilliam gives us access to capital and other technologies and also allows us to tap into deep expertise within the group”

It’s all about patient care

Toniq general manager Andrew Grant says it was exciting to exhibit at HiNZ for the first time and for it to be under the Clanwilliam Group.

“We are a group who genuinely get on and work well together,” Mr Grant says.

“At the end of the day it’s about the patient and their journey across the whole health system and ensuring they have the best possible health outcomes.”

All three companies are looking forward to exhibiting together again at the next HiNZ Conference.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the HiNZ organisers. These conferences are crucial to the betterment of the health sector by encouraging the collaboration that’s needed,” Mrs Creighton says.


Tailor-made care at Miranda Smith Homecare

Posted on by Lauren Turner

Referrals to New Zealand’s longest running private homecare agency,Miranda Smith Homecare, can now be made using HealthLink CareSelect.

Established in 1999 by Miranda Smith, the agency offers a range of services including personal, respite and specialised care all in the comfort of the patient’s home.

Miranda Smith Homecare employs over 300 carers and has offices in Auckland, Tauranga, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington and Canterbury, with support staff available in Manawatu.

Managing director Miranda Smith says her organisation prides itself on the high standard of care it provides and also its ability to arrange care at short notice.

“We offer a few hours of care a day through to 24/7 care. We have a very large scope and assist with anything from showering, dressing and meal preparation, through to respite and end of life nursing care,” Miranda says.

She says a lot of people find they suddenly need home-based care.

“We have a quick turn around and can organise care within 24 hours if needed. If we get a call in the morning, we can often have it organised on the same day.”

She says many patients have family who live out of town so it’s reassuring for the family to know there’s someone on the ground to keep an eye on their loved one.

 

Care plans to suit patient

She says the care plans are tailor-made and flexible to suit the patient’s needs and wishes.

“Patients love the fact they can choose their own carer and that they have the same person looking after them for the duration of their care, which provides a nice continuity.”

Patients also have flexibility around when they want their carer to come, if they want to meet a new carer or if they want their care to stop and start.

“For example, they may just want their carer during winter and not need them during the summer months. It’s all about providing a personalised service and ensuring patients are getting the best care possible so they can maintain their independence.”

Miranda says her organisation has an excellent reputation for matching the best carer to suit the patient’s needs.

“Our carers are all carefully selected, screened and undergo a robust induction and training. Their training is also specific to the person they’re caring for – if they’re caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease, then they’ll get specific training on how to care for someone with Alzheimer’s.”

 

Homecare products available to buy

Miranda Smith Homecare recently started offering homecare products for sale.

“We sell mobility, bathroom and bedroom products including things like shower stools and walkers.”

She says the products are really helpful for people who have come out of hospital or who have had a health crisis.

“If they’ve decided to stay at home, they can get a whole range of products to assist them in one go from one place.”

 

How to refer to Miranda Smith Homecare:

  • open the patient record

  • select the HealthLink icon

  • use the CareSelect search bar, type “Miranda Smith”

  • click “Compose Referral”.


Ground-breaking new e-Referral service launched

Posted on by Lauren Turner

A ground-breaking new e-Referral service called SR Specialists & Referrals has launched in Victoria and Tasmania.

The free service sees the Medical Specialists Directory available online and integrated within HealthLink’s software so GPs can seamlessly search, select and e-Refer to any private specialist in the directory.

The trusted directory is used by most GPs to search for private specialists and will still be available in hard copy to give GPs a choice of how they’d like to view it.

By moving the directory online and linking it with HealthLink’s e-Referral software, GPs will save precious time and have peace of mind knowing their referral has made it quickly and securely to the selected specialist with all the relevant, legible information.

Health IT company HealthLink and Cervin Media, which has published the Medical Specialists Directory for the past 20 years, have worked together to deliver the new service.

Standardised form for all e-Referrals

HealthLink lead tech, customer support and deployment, Lawrence Peterson says the new service is a game changer for GPs and specialists.

“GPs can now do an e-Referral in one seamless process using a standardised form to refer to any private specialist in the directory. They can also attach relevant images and reports directly from within the patient medical record.

“GPs can say goodbye to importing templates and using out-of-date local address books,” he says.

A key feature of the integration is the ability to easily and clearly see which specialists can be referred to electronically.

The service is available to GPs using the two main practice management systems (PMSs), Medical Director and Best Practice via HealthLink. Similarly, specialists can receive the e-Referrals via their HealthLink account.

Mr Peterson says HealthLink is planning to launch a portal soon for the specialists who may not have a compliant PMS so they can access the referral through a web browser.

There are plans to roll the service out next to New South Wales and ACT, and then finally nationwide.

Seamless, intuitive process

Cervin Media general manager Dr Carmel Cervin says the current referral system in Australia is quite messy and fragmented and takes several time-consuming steps.

“The new service takes away that messiness, hassle and uncertainty with one seamless process that is intuitive and easy to use.”

Dr Cervin says the majority of specialists in the directory can be referred to electronically. However, if a specialist can’t be, the GP can still search and view them online and then print off a manual referral to send.

“With the directory now online, it means we can update specialist’s information and details immediately and provide even more detailed information on specialist services and locations,” she says.

“We want to make life easier for GPs and specialists and help them take better care of their patients by offering a smooth, e-Referral process.”

HealthLink CEO Michelle Creighton says HealthLink is delighted to be partnering with Cervin Media to bring the service to Australian healthcare providers.

“The SR Specialists & Referrals solution will make it easier for GPs to refer patients to the best care possible. Not only will GPs save time, specialists will be provided with a higher-quality referral, which is better for the health outcome of patients,” she says.


Clanwilliam Health and Swiftqueue launch online booking functionality for Irish GP patients

Posted on by Lauren Turner

We are delighted to announce that we have launched online appointment booking for GP patients in our Socrates system. We have partnered with Swiftqueue to enable Irish GP practices to accept online bookings from their patients for the very first time. This means that patients can now book an appointment with any GP using the system via their phone, tablet or computer as easily as they would order a takeaway, bank online or book a flight.

The below video explains the partnership as well as some of the benefits that it will offer to users:

Swiftqueue power online bookings for healthcare professionals. They have been providing digital healthcare scheduling solutions to organisations like the HSE and NHS for the last 9 years and the system is used in Sites across Ireland, the UK, the US and Canada. This experience has helped to develop Swiftqueue into a complete on booking solution that is now integrated directly with Socrates GP so that patients can book their appointments online.

Online appointment scheduling can help to reduce:

  • Phone call traffic

  • Patient waiting times

  • Administration costs

  • Time spent by practice administration staff managing appointments

Click here for more information and to sign up for the service. 

Clanwilliam Health and Swiftqueue launch online booking functionality for Irish GP patients

Posted on by sobold_admin_16

We are delighted to announce that we have launched online appointment booking for GP patients in our Socrates system. We have partnered with Swiftqueue to enable Irish GP practices to accept online bookings from their patients for the very first time. This means that patients can now book an appointment with any GP using the system via their phone, tablet or computer as easily as they would order a takeaway, bank online or book a flight.

The below video explains the partnership as well as some of the benefits that it will offer to users:

Swiftqueue power online bookings for healthcare professionals. They have been providing digital healthcare scheduling solutions to organisations like the HSE and NHS for the last 9 years and the system is used in Sites across Ireland, the UK, the US and Canada. This experience has helped to develop Swiftqueue into a complete on booking solution that is now integrated directly with Socrates GP so that patients can book their appointments online.

Online appointment scheduling can help to reduce:

  • Phone call traffic

  • Patient waiting times

  • Administration costs

  • Time spent by practice administration staff managing appointments

Click here for more information and to sign up for the service. 

Podcast – Integration and Health Insurance in Ireland

Posted on by Lauren Turner

This week Claimsure Sláinte Ireland’s  Managing Director Colm Nagle was the first guest from outside North America to appear on the Lets Talk Integration podcast hosted by iNTERFACEWARE Inc.

The show covers:

• How Claimsure has used integration to improve operational efficiency for insurers and hospitals

• How Iguana is being used to service all of Claimsure’s insurance claim traffic

• Patient administration systems used in Ireland vs EMR systems being used in the United States

• Next big interoperability challenge in Ireland: building connectivity across the entire health sector

Click here to listen.

Clanwilliam Health announces strategic partnership with BOI Payment Acceptance

Posted on by Lauren Turner

Clanwilliam Health and BOI Payment Acceptance (BOIPA) are pleased to announce a strategic partnership to provide an integrated payment solution in Clanwilliam Health’s flagship pharmacy product, Smart ePOS. The collaboration will enable pharmacies to avail of the best value in card processing and accept card payments directly from their Point of Sale (POS) hardware, Smart ePOS.

Smart ePOS controls a pharmacy’s stock, margins, and cash to optimise point of sale processes and now features a fully integrated debit and credit card payment acceptance solution courtesy of BOIPA. This strategic partnership will also be rolled into Clanwilliam Health’s Practice Management products (Socrates, Health One and Helix Practice Manager) in 2019 in order to allow Irish General Practitioners (GPs) to also avail of the payment technology.

Commenting on the collaboration announcement, Eileen Byrne, Managing Director of Clanwilliam Health said, “Clanwilliam Health is delighted to work with BOIPA to provide additional payment management functionality for our customers and to give them the power to seamlessly handle their payments in Smart ePOS. This relationship is a demonstration of our ongoing commitment to offer our customers integrations from market-leading partners such as BOIPA, and we know it will ultimately make their processes and procedures for payments easier and more cost-effective – something that is always appreciated.”

“BOIPA is very pleased to collaborate with Clanwilliam Health, one of the leading technology suppliers to the Irish health sector,” said Brian Cleary, Managing Director, BOI Payment Acceptance. “Providing enhanced, tech-enabled solutions to pharmacies will open up new market opportunities for us and deliver an enhanced payment proposition to pharmacies throughout the country.”

Clanwilliam Health is a leading provider of pharmacy and practice management software technology and services that are currently used by thousands of users every day in practice management, pharmacy and other clinical settings all over Ireland and the UK.

BOI Payment Acceptance is a long-term, exclusive marketing alliance between the Bank of Ireland and EVO Payments, Inc.

Click here to sign-up your Pharmacy up for BOIPA today.