IT INNOVATIONS AT ALFRED HOSPITAL ICU

Every cubicle has a computer which allows access to PowerChart for pathology results and electronic ordering, PACS for radiology, the intranet for protocols and guidelines, and the internet for searches of relevant information.

We also access our custom-built application, ICUActive, which provides data on all patients in the ICU as well as discharges and referrals awaiting admission, reports, discharge summaries, handover sheets, followup lists and tasks, progress notes as well as information on procedures and lines.

After exhaustive evaluation, Philips ICIP won the tender for a Clinical Information System.

The past year has been spent primarily investigating how the CIS will be implemented, a decision finally being made that a thin client model will be used in both operating theatres and the Intensive Care Unit.

We have investigated a single user-log-in for the CIS, Power Chart, Pacs, database and how this can be geography-specific. i.e when the user logs in it takes the user to that patient's chart. This will eliminate the risk of opening anyone other than the patient in that cubicle's chart.

We have also investigated the necessary hardware that will be required.

With the commencement of Mr. Mark Gardiner as the new Director of IT, the project has developed a new and considerable momentum.

There is an expectation that we will commence the project 1st July 2009 and "go live" by early 2010.

ICU, Anaesthesia & Perioperative Medicine and IT are excited about this project.

All the components are falling into place and whilst it has taken a long time to get to this point a now excellent co-operation and collaboration between ICU, Anaesthesia & Perioperative Medicine and IT should ensure a highly successful project.