Canada Infoway released the following a few days ago.
Up to $1 billion in annual radiology cost savings and efficiencies uncovered across Canada
The findings are outlined in the Diagnostic Imaging Benefits Evaluation Report, an independent study commissioned by Canada Health Infoway (Infoway). The report highlights the various benefits Picture Archiving and Communications Systems (PACS) are providing to Canadians. It also uncovers the potential of electronic health record investments to help stimulate Canada’s challenging economy. Get the national perspective by reading the facts of the report. Learn more in the Diagnostic Imaging Benefits Evaluation Report Executive Summary .
“At a time when the global economy is prompting world leaders to focus on economic stimulus, electronic health record projects are emerging as viable investment opportunities,” said Richard Alvarez, president and CEO, Canada Health Infoway. “That’s because electronic health records have the unique ability to stimulate job creation, improve health outcomes and save money, as evidenced with today’s report on the benefits of Canada’s diagnostic imaging investments. It comes as no surprise that U.S. President-elect Barack Obama recently indicated such investments would be part of his planned economic stimulus package.”
PACS digitizes diagnostic exams such as x-rays, MRIs, ultrasounds and CT images. The technology provides clinicians with the ability to collect, store, manage and access images regardless of where they are located, or where the test was conducted. PACS improves productivity for doctors, technologists and radiologists and significantly improves remote reporting capabilities. Learn more about Infoway’s diagnostic imaging investment program and how it’s helping to offset Canada’s physician shortage.
Other benefits include:
- 25 to 30 per cent increase in technologists’ productivity
- Elimination of up to 17,000 patient transfers annually through remote access to images
- Increased capacity of between 9 million and 11 million exams at current radiologist resource levels
- Up to $1 billion a year in health system savings and efficiencies once PACS is fully implemented across the country
Infoway projects that by March 31, 2009, 79 per cent of Canadians will be in a position to benefit from $340 million in PACS investments.
“As physician consultants, radiologists are in great demand,” says Dr. David Vickar, president of the Canadian Association of Radiologists. “PACS is a technological tool which can significantly enhance the management of our increasing caseloads.”
“The benefits of government investment in health care infrastructure are accruing,” added Alvarez. “Equipping our radiologists with electronic tools to make their work more efficient is helping to offset the physician shortage through boosted clinical productivity, which is also addressing patient wait times. Cost savings are also being realized thanks to reduced patient transfers, fewer duplicate exams and the elimination of film. Once these systems are fully in place across Canada, the benefits to the health care system will reach up to $1 billion a year.”
Canada Health Infoway is an independent, not-for-profit organization funded by the federal government. Infoway jointly invests with every province and territory to accelerate the development and adoption of electronic health record projects in Canada. Fully respecting patient confidentiality, these secure systems will provide clinicians and patients with the information they need to better support safe care decisions and manage their own health. Accessing this vital information quickly will help foster a more modern and sustainable health care system for all Canadians.
For more information:
Dan Strasbourg
Director, Corporate Communications
Canada Health Infoway
(416) 595-3424
dstrasbourg@infoway-inforoute.ca
The full release is here:
Also this week we have:
OHSU study: nurse tracking of elderly patients saves lives
A nurse-managed, computerized system that can keep good track of seniors and their health problems can cut their death rate by as much as one-third, according to a new study from Oregon Health & Science University.
The patients, studied over three years by a team led by OHSU internist David Dorr, were actually enrolled at primary care clinics in Utah. Their average age was 76, and most had at least two chronic illnesses.
The study broke the 2,288 patients up into two groups – one group received standard health care and the second group received what the study calls Care Management Plus, which involved nurse managers using computerized records to carefully track patient conditions as well as needed tests and therapies such as medication changes.
The nurses and their computerized tracking appear to have extended the lives of patients in the second group, according to Dorr. The reason, he said, has to do with the fact that elderly people with chronic health conditions become complicated patients, and their care harder to coordinate.
More here:
http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=122939846339877200
Enough said..we just need to get on with all this as well!
David.
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