MediRecords wises up on CSIRO’s Smart Forms for Healthcare
 

MediRecords wises up
on CSIRO’s Smart Forms
for Healthcare

Leading cloud healthcare technology company MediRecords is deploying CSIRO’s open-source Smart Forms software to develop FHIR forms for rapid deployment into clinical use. 

The initiative will see Smart Forms technology deployed in the MediRecords platform, enabling faster access to new clinical assessment tools and patient surveys. 

The first Smart Form, a Falls Risk Assessment, is expected to be available in MediRecords this month. 

Commissioned by the Commonwealth Department of Health, Smart Forms technology was developed to improve health assessment procedures and clinical information sharing, leading to better patient outcomes. This was first demonstrated through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Check Assessment Smart Form. 

Standardised forms can streamline how clinicians capture patient data and simplify how this data is made available for research and other analysis. 

MediRecords Integrations Lead Sanjeed Quaiyumi said Smart Forms would accelerate the introduction of new health assessments within MediRecords. 

“MediRecords is laying the foundations for the adoption of Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) in the broader health ecosystem, having developed and implemented an extensive library of FHIR and API resources. Smart Forms provide an exciting new way to gather and share data.” 

What are Smart Forms? 

Smart Forms conform to the HL7 FHIR Structured Data Capture and SMART App Launch Implementation Guides, ensuring seamless interoperability between clinical systems and applications. This standardised approach facilitates exchange of electronic health information across a diverse range of platforms. 

Key benefits of Smart Forms include: 

  • Interoperability: Facilitating seamless data exchange between FHIR-enabled healthcare applications and systems 
  • Adaptability: Customisable forms tailored to specific clinical contexts and user needs 
  • Standardisation: Adherence to standardised data formats and coding conventions for consistency in healthcare data representation 
  • Security: Robust security measures to safeguard patient data and maintain privacy 
  • User-Friendly Interface: Designed for accessibility across various levels of technical expertise 
  • Enhanced Workflow Efficiency: Streamlined data capture, retrieval, and exchange processes for improved decision-making and patient care coordination. 

MediRecords will use Smart Forms to expand its range of clinical templates, starting with the Falls Risks Assessment and extending to inpatient Admissions and Primary Care Assessments forms. 

This initiative underscores MediRecords’ commitment to driving innovation and enhancing healthcare outcomes through cutting-edge technologies. By harnessing the power of CSIRO’s Smart Forms, MediRecords aims to significantly improve data capture options, providing clinicians with advanced tools for delivering personalised patient care. 

MediRecords actively participates in the Sparked FHIR Accelerator community. Sparked is a collaboration between Department of Health and Aged Care, the Australian Digital Health Agency, HL7 Australia and CSIRO’s Australian e-Health Research Centre. 

Media inquiries:

For media inquiries or further information, please contact MediRecords Senior Business Development Manager Tim Pegler via tim.pegler@medirecords.com. 

References: 

Home – AU Core Implementation Guide v0.3.0-ballot (hl7.org.au) 

https://aehrc.csiro.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2022_23-AEHRC-Annual-Report.pdf 

https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/indigenous-australians/indigenous-health-checks-follow-ups/contents/timeline-of-major-developments-in-health-check-imp  

Eight reasons to embrace cloud technology in healthcare
 

Eight reasons to embrace cloud technology in healthcare

We’ve done the maths. But saving $600K in ten years is just one good reason to switch to the cloud.

In today’s fast-paced world, healthcare needs to be as efficient and technologically advanced as any other sector. This doesn’t mean adopting the latest technology for the sake of it. It does mean delivering 21st-century healthcare and, by doing it right, reaping substantial, long-term cost savings, and significant workplace and environmental benefits.
Here are eight reasons why cloud technology is essential to healthcare:

1. Interoperability is the future
Interoperability isn’t just a passing trend. Governments worldwide are moving towards legislating information sharing by default and cloud technology ensures real-time information exchange at the point of care. In contrast, non-cloud technologies, including cloud-bridging platforms, introduce multiple risks ranging from data integrity to security and governance issues. Cloud-based EHRs (Electronic Health Records) provide superior interoperability, enabling more coordinated and integrated care.

2. Cloud technology drives operational efficiency
From minimised IT overheads to consolidation of services and identity management, cloud technology reshapes how businesses operate. It offers universal access, strengthens data security, supports single source systems, and much more. Adopting the cloud doesn’t just mean upgrading technology; it enables overhauling and enhancing the operational fabric of your organisation.

3. Unparalleled scalability with cloud solutions
The adaptability of cloud applications is noteworthy. In a landscape that’s continuously evolving, cloud-based solutions can adeptly manage unpredictable usage patterns, support multi-party usage, and adapt to regulatory changes swiftly. With unparalleled scalability, cloud solutions are equipped to handle increasing data volumes, user counts, and evolving stakeholder needs.

4. Cost Analysis: Cloud vs. on-premise
When it comes to the financial aspects of healthcare, cloud solutions offer undeniable benefits. Consider the following costs associated with cloud and on-premise solutions. 

Click here to view the below table in a new window.

5. Adapting to the casualised workforce trend
The post-pandemic period has witnessed a shift towards a more casualised healthcare workforce. The burgeoning telemedicine sector, and changing economic circumstances, have resulted in more flexible work arrangements. Digital platforms are bolstering this change, fostering work-from-anywhere telecommuting and freelance opportunities. Cloud technology stands at the crux of these changing workforce trends, ensuring seamless transitions and facilitating innovative care models for healthcare providers and consumers.

6. Meeting patient expectations in the post-Covid era
The Covid-19 pandemic reshaped many sectors, and healthcare wasn’t exempt. Nowadays, patients anticipate digital solutions such as online appointment bookings, e-prescriptions, and quick access to telemedicine. Beyond the functional solutions, they also expect a personalised touch to their care, and more involvement in decision-making. Digital healthcare, powered by cloud technology, enables safety improvements, real-time access to information, and an enhanced patient experience.

7. Environmental benefits
According to research, cloud computing can decrease carbon emissions by approximately 60%-70%. This not only reflects more sustainable utilisation of resources like water, but also effective management of waste products when decommissioning hardware. As opposed to traditional data centers, cloud data centers are known to be significantly more energy efficient. [1,2] Transition to the cloud means reducing the carbon footprint of your health business.

8. Virtual care: The way forward
With virtual care rising in popularity, especially in Australia, integrated patient data systems are crucial. Cloud-based EHR solutions offer healthcare providers location-agnostic access to patient data, ensuring comprehensive care, whether provided remotely or in-clinic.

In summary, the transition to cloud technology in the healthcare sector isn’t just a tech upgrade; it’s a holistic approach to meeting modern business challenges head-on. Furthermore, the estimated costs savings over a 10-year period for a 10-doctor practice is over $600,000, not to mention the environmental benefits and peace of mind that come with outsourcing operations to a trusted partner.

Whether you’re a startup or an established player, it’s time to harness the power of the cloud.

[1] https://sustainability.aboutamazon.com/products-services/the-cloud?energyType=true

[2] https://aws.amazon.com/executive-insights/content/fighting-climate-change-with-the-cloud/

This article was written by MediRecords CEO & Founder Matthew Galetto, and originally published by Health Services Daily and The Medical Republic.

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    MediRecords in the fast lane for FHIR connectivity
     

    MediRecords in the
    fast lane for FHIR connectivity

    MediRecords will be releasing new FHIR integration pathways for clients throughout 2023, as part of our commitment to a better connected Australian healthcare system. 

     

    As can be seen from our FHIR Roadmap below, we not only have established and proven options for data sharing, but we’re investing in the expansion of our Connect platform which comprises of  FHIR (Fast Health Interoperability Resources) and Connect services.

    We now have FHIR integrations with hospital systems for ePrescribing, and updating patient records. New resources in development for MediRecords 2.0 include allergies, diagnostic requests and reports, patient summaries, and inpatient charting.

    MediRecords Chief Executive Officer Matthew Galetto said the Connect platform enabled health care providers and patients to access records quickly and securely, driving better and timelier health outcomes.

    “We’re keen to see more software vendors hit the road and deliver on industry standards for interoperability, resulting in connected health care across Australia,” Mr Galetto said.

    “Some vendors seem to be waiting for a reason to modernise when the motivation should be clear — the right care at the right time, wherever you are in Australia.”

    MediRecords is part of a national consortium, led by Leidos Australia, developing a new Health Knowledge Management (HKM) system for the Australian Defence Force. This project will see MediRecords connect health records for GPs, allied health practitioners, specialists, patients, and hospitals.

    MediRecords is also supporting the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department with an integrated ePrescribing system.

    MediRecords Technical Product Lead Sanjeed Quaiyumi said 2023 would be an exciting year. “We’re working on consultation notes and can’t wait to hit other milestones on our roadmap.”

    MediRecords FHIR Roadmap

    MediRecords FHIR roadmap was last updated 01/11/23.

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      Communication the key to reducing hospital readmissions

      Communication the
      key to reducing
      hospital readmissions

      Can health tech help reduce hospital readmissions?

       

      According to a global research review, telehealth and virtual wards can certainly make a difference.

      The Deeble Institute — the research arm of the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA) — reviewed international research on the role of primary care in reducing hospital readmissions.

      In its Evidence Brief no. 24, the Institute says telehealth can be used to boost general practice involvement in hospital discharges and subsequent multidisciplinary virtual care, resulting in fewer unplanned readmissions.

      Unplanned readmissions are associated with poorer health outcomes, dissatisfaction with healthcare, increased costs, and bed blockages.

      The report highlighted research that showed improved communication and coordination of care between GPs, hospitals and/or pharmacists is effective.

      “Effective interventions included … electronic tools to facilitate quick, clear, and structured (health) summary generation… use of electronic discharge notifications; and web-based access to discharge information for general practitioners,” reported the Netherland’s Hesselink and colleagues.

      Virtual wards are another way to reduce risk of hospital readmissions and improve outcomes during hospital-to-home transition, with research indicating these can be effective with specific disease cohorts but less so with non-specific, complex diseases.

      The Evidence Brief contrasted virtual wards with Hospital in the Home (HITH). HITH is a form of remote hospital inpatient care whereas virtual wards facilitate transition from hospital care to home care.

      “Compared to HITH, virtual wards typically have a higher degree of interdisciplinary care coordination and review, are simpler in design and implementation, and have a broader scope of activities,” The Deeble Institute reported.

      “Transitional care is similar to virtual wards, but usually implemented within existing systems. Virtual wards typically require a completely new care pathway and potentially new organisations to manage its implementation.”

      MediRecords Connect provides FHIR (Fast Health Interoperability Resources) and API options for connectivity with hospital systems, including patient administration systems (PAS). MediRecords is deployed as an ePrescribing system at two Australian virtual emergency departments and as an outpatient billing and claiming system for Queensland Health. New functionality enabling multidisciplinary case management and inpatient care will be released later this year.

      MediRecords is also integrated with the Coviu telehealth platform for streamlined virtual consultations.

      Top three Technologies that reduce hospital admissions:

      Further reading

      ‘A wonderful day’: telehealth to become permanent

      Improving Patient Handovers From Hospital to Primary Care

      Consumer adoption of digital health in 2022: Moving at the speed of trust

      PARR++ is dead: long live predictive modelling

      Impact of ‘Virtual Wards’ on hospital use: a research study using propensity matched controls and a cost analysis

      Applying the Integrated Practice Unit Concept to a Modified Virtual Ward Model of Care for Patients at Highest Risk of Readmission: A Randomized Controlled Trial

      Effect of post-discharge virtual wards on improving outcomes in heart failure and non-heart failure populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis

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        Federal Government digital health upgrade grants on the way

        Federal Government digital health upgrade grants on the way

        Update: 24 April 2023

        New details are now available on the Strengthening Medicare General Practice Grants.

        Grants of $25,000, $35,000 or $50,000 are available depending on practice size. The grants will be administered by your local Primary Health Network (PHN) or the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO). To take advantage of this funding, complete a grant application sourced via your PHN or NACCHO.

         

        MediRecords welcomes the news that Federal Government grants aimed at helping to enhance digital health capability for Medicare general practices and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) will become available from April. 

         

        General practices and ACCHS will be eligible for one-off grants of up to $50,000 for innovation, training, equipment, and minor capital works under three categories:

        1. Enhance digital health capability – Accelerate moves to a more connected healthcare system that meets future standards;
        2. Upgrade infection prevention and control arrangements – Ensure infectious respiratory disease (e.g. COVID, influenza) patients can be safely seen face-to-face; and/or
        3. Maintain and/or achieve accreditation against the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Standards for General Practice to promote quality and safety in health care.

        The grants were an election promise from then opposition leader Anthony Albanese in May 2022. The Strengthening Medicare – GP Grants Program was subsequently allocated $220 million in the October 2022 federal budget.

        Medicare general practice grants will be administered by local Primary Health Networks (PHNs) and ACCHS grants by the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO). Practices and health services owned or operated by a state, territory or local government agency are ineligible.

        MediRecords Chief Executive Officer Matthew Galetto welcomed the move and said he hoped it signalled a shift to better data connectivity between GPs and the broader health care system.

        “We would like to see incentives for general practices to switch to the cloud, given the environmental, security and interoperability benefits that flow from leaving behind legacy software and hardware systems.”

        Mr Galetto said the grants program was an opportunity for the Federal Government and PHNs to drive industry-wide reform and boost adoption of new technology platforms.

        “Just as PIP (Practice Incentives Program) grants helped shift GPs from paper-based systems to electronic, this grant funding should seek to do the same for next generation interoperable technology.”

        “This is bigger than improving the My Health Record. There is an opportunity to follow the United States example and provide genuine connectivity of digital health records for patients, from primary to tertiary care.”

        MediRecords is a true cloud electronic health record system featuring global standards-based interoperability and SNOMED-CT-AU clinical coding. MediRecords pioneered cloud practice management software in Australia and is now used by general practitioners, specialists, multidisciplinary clinics, hospitals, and government departments.

        Practices considering using their grant to upgrade to cloud clinical software are welcome to reach out to MediRecords. We provide onboarding services including training, data migration and configuration of electronic prescribing, telehealth integration, Medicare claiming and more.

         

         
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          MediRecords on FHIR at Northern Health
           

          MediRecords on FHIR
          at Northern Health

          Mental Health teams at Northern Health now have access to the MediRecords e-Prescribing platform, following successful integrations with the hospital’s patient administration system (PAS) and Clinical Patient Folder (CPF) software.

           

          The pioneering FHIR (Fast Health Interoperability Resources) connections mean doctors don’t have to search a second database for patient records and can generate electronic prescriptions quickly, informed by current clinical information, including allergies and medication histories. Prescription records are then sent to CPF in real time, and no longer have to be posted to patients or manually scanned and uploaded to hospital digital records.

          The FHIR go-live signals Phase 2 of MediRecords’ implementation at Northern Health, following an initial launch as a stand-alone system for Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED) doctors in July 2022. Wider use of the e-Prescribing system is being adopted, with Northern’s Outpatient clinics and mental health included in a staggered roll out from 31st January 2023. This implementation was the first FHIR implementation performed at Northern Health.

          MediRecords Chief Executive Officer Matthew Galetto said Northern Health had demonstrated the benefits of using industry-leading FHIR technology to streamline data interoperability and support efficient patient care in a hospital setting.

          “It is important for healthcare organisations investing in new digital health projects to future proof their investments by adopting the latest standards. Implementing FHIR will help organisations stay ahead of the curve and meet near future regulatory requirements,” Mr Galetto said.

          Mr Galetto said MediRecords would be releasing additional FHIR integration pathways for clients throughout 2023, as part of the Connect pillar underpinning the MediRecords platform.

          “We are fortunate to be at the forefront of FHIR development in Australia, thanks to our role in the Leidos-led consortium delivering a new Health Knowledge Management (HKM) system for the Australian Defence Force,” Mr Galetto said.

          “Data sharing for the HKM project has applicability throughout Australian healthcare and means we will be able to connect health care records in primary care all the way up to hospital, or tertiary care. This will help provide patients and clinicians with access to the right data at the right time, with significant safety benefits.”

          Mr Galetto thanked Northern Health for being an early adopter of the technology, the first time MediRecords has been deployed in a hospital setting supporting virtual care.

          “The Northern Health team are pioneers in virtual care and are now leading the way in connecting patient information systems.”

          Northern Health’s Mental Health Division provides hospital-based, community and specialist mental health services to youth, adults and aged people across northern and western Melbourne. The introduction of ePrescribing means prescriptions can be sent instantly and electronically to patients or carers, with a QR code to be scanned at pharmacies for dispensing. This provides significantly faster access to new and repeat medications for mental health clients.

          Media inquiries

          For further information, please email Matthew Galetto on matthew@medirecords.com or Tim Pegler at tim.pegler@medirecords.com

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            8 health-tech trends to watch in 2023
             

            8 health-tech trends to watch in 2023

            Tim Pegler

            Tim Pegler - MediRecords Senior Business Development Manager

            The pandemic years have been actioned-packed for health-tech. What have we learned and what can we expect from 2023?

            1. The cloud is (still) coming 

            Based on conversations with customers, the market is increasingly aware of the security and infrastructure benefits of shifting to cloud. So why is the transition so slow? Partly because the healthcare industry is often understaffed, time poor and therefore change averse. The good news is that those who embrace fresh and more flexible technology rarely look back.

            Speaking of shiny and new…

            2. Robots are here to help 

            Staff shortages due to illness, burnout and pandemic-related workforce changes necessitate doing more with less. We can expect automation to play a bigger role in repetitive tasks, and robots to play support and even investigative roles.

            Exhibit A: Robot dietitian RMC adds robot dietician (thetandd.com)

            Exhibit B: Robot meds Mayo Clinic picks up stake in startup making pill-sized robot (beckershospitalreview.com)

            Exhibit C: AI bed management NUHS’s AI platform predicts bed state 2 weeks in advance | Healthcare IT News

            Exhibit D: Robot cleaning crews Cameron employs robots to super clean facilities | Heraldrepublican | kpcnews.com

            The automation trend also means…

            3. Lock in telehealth

            Virtual and remote care are generally cheaper than hospital beds (How to implement a virtual ED in 10 weeks – Wild Health Summits : Connectivity) and more consumer friendly than queuing for in-person care (see The cost and carbon savings of telehealth, quantified (beckershospitalreview.com)). Virtual mental health care, in particular, appears to be cementing its role. However, digital literacy and equitable access to technology, including Internet coverage, can be barriers to care.  Successful virtual care hinges on having accurate information, tools and help whenever needed so…

            4. Maybe it’s time to make new friends

            Difficulty accessing developers and tight tech budgets mean partnering can be the faster (and cheaper) path to product enhancement, in contrast to D-I-Y builds. Which means…

            5. Interoperability is king

            Products designed for integration have a strategic advantage over those that have not committed to interoperability at their core. Speaking the same language helps and Fast Health Interoperability Resources (FHIR) (Welcome to the HL7 FHIR Foundation) are the way to future-proof your health tech. Another interoperability truth is…

            6. Clean data counts

            Making sense out of a hotchpotch of data dropped into a free-text box is time consuming and painful for data analysis. Storing information in a logical, consistent and correctly coded format (MediRecords uses SNOMED CT AU SNOMED CT-AU and Australian Medicines Terminology June 2022 Release | Australian Digital Health Agency) helps the data wranglers do their thing. Quality, clean, actionable data has value and needs to be kept safe because…

            7. Cyber attacks are on the rise

            US data shows ransomware attacks more than doubled from 2016 to 2021 (JAMA Health Forum – Health Policy, Health Care Reform, Health Affairs | JAMA Health Forum | JAMA Network). The UK and Australia are also under siege. Minimising risk is mandatory and, while no system is risk-free, cloud technology allows you to outsource security management and those never-ending software updates so you can concentrate on core business.  This is important because…

            8. Change is gonna come

            Australian governments are still exploring how to introduce systemic change following royal commissions into aged care and mental health services (Victoria). Royal commissions are ongoing into disability, and defence and veteran suicide. The Australian Digital Health Agency is promoting collaboration and reform. NSW is working on a Single Digital Patient Record (SDPR). Victoria is moving toward a health-information exchange system, connected to a statewide Mental Health Client Management System. Queensland is pursuing better health information connectivity and remote monitoring options. Tasmania has a digital transformation strategy underway. There are versions of virtual emergency departments emerging across Australia…

            Buckle up. 2023 could be a wild ride.

            About MediRecords

            MediRecords is a FHIR-enabled, true cloud clinical platform with ePrescribing and telehealth integrations. MediRecords supports GPmultidisciplinary and specialist clinics across Australia and is working with Queensland Health, the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department and the Australian Defence Force on innovative models of care delivery. Please book a demo if you’d like to discuss solutions for your business.

            Want to dive deeper? Further reading below:

            2023 predictions: Health tech suppliers give their verdict (digitalhealth.net)

            What health tech trends CIOs are focused on in 2023 (beckershospitalreview.com)

            Virtual everything, asynchronous care, sustainability: Healthcare innovation predictions for ’23 (beckershospitalreview.com)

            CMIOs on what to project for 2023 (beckershospitalreview.com)

            Digital Health Review of the Year 2022

            MR.R4.CORE\Home – FHIR v4.0.1 (medirecords.com)

            Report: Telehealth accounts for about 10% of outpatient visits | MobiHealthNews

            The King’s Fund interoperability report highlights relationships and tech (digitalhealth.net)

            Russian hacking group ‘KillNet’ targets US healthcare (beckershospitalreview.com)

            2023 forecast: 7 big-picture goals for hospital leaders (fiercehealthcare.com)

            Top 10 hospital and payer trends to watch in 2023 | Healthcare Finance News

            National Digital Health Strategy and Framework for Action | Australian Digital Health Agency

            Digital Health Transformation – Improving Patient Outcomes 2022-2032 | Tasmanian Department of Health

            DOH-Strategic-Plan-Nov-2022-update.pdf (health.qld.gov.au)

            victorias-digital-health-roadmap.pdf

            Single digital patient record set to deliver vastly improved patient experience | eHealth NSW

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              MediRecords Product Update: Consent Module
               

              Product update:
              Consent Module

              MediRecords is excited to announce another product update, the Consent Module.

              The Consent Module addresses a critical need in healthcare – the need to capture and store electronic consent forms (and help make clipboards and paper-based questionnaires a thing of the past). 

              MediRecords’ Consent Module has the flexibility to record consent for various procedure types or investigations. The Consent module is per-patient and used to capture and store the Consent type, scope, and associated documentation required (coming soon). 

              It shows exactly what the patient has provided consent for or rejected. This includes concepts such as Advanced Care Directives, information disclosure to third parties, acceptance of privacy policies and more. 

              You can open this new feature via a new tab at the top of the patient record, for quick viewing access. Potential ways to use the Consent Module include: 

              1. New Patient Registration form – patients can sign consent for a practice to begin collecting their medical information 
              2. Advanced Care Directive – patient provides consent for their care if they become unable to make these decisions themselves 
              3. Procedural consent – Useful in pre-admission workflows – consent for upcoming procedures or treatment 
              4. Do Not Resuscitate – orders given by the patient not to resuscitate if they fall unconscious

              Future enhancements are imminent for this feature. In future releases you will be able to upload a Consent document directly to the Consent record, so that you can store paper consent forms along with electronic records.  

              To learn more about the Consent Module and how you can implement it for your business, please follow the link to our Knowledge Base articles below or contact our friendly Support team. 

              If you have feedback on our new feature, please reach out to your account manager. We would love to hear from you!  

              Consent Module Support Knowledge Base article 

               All new customers are welcome to book a demonstration to learn how MediRecords can support your organisation today

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