| 1. | |
Is this a web-based solution? |
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| Yes. As a web-based system it can be accessed from any web browser from any location that has access to the eMDT server. |
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| 2. | |
Which hospitals have the system? |
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| eMDT has been designed and produced over the last 18 months. Pilot systems are being set up for MDT clinicians and administrative staff at North Hampshire Hospital to improve the capture and availability of information during general patient care, to help coordinate MDT meetings and to provide information on Cancer Waiting Times. Another pilot system, for the capture of clinical trials information, has been set up for the Pelican Centre. Ardeo's underlying collaborative software system has been in use for over a year at Darent Valley Hospital, where it has been set up as a patient-centred requisitioning system. |
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| 3. | |
How many tumour groups are catered for? |
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| Ardeo's eMDT system has been designed as a generic cancer care system, so that it can be applied to any tumour group. The system screens are designed by MDT members for local use i.e. Radiology, Pathology, Surgery, Nurse Care, etc. The process takes 1 to 2 days per screen to tailor the system to each new MDT requirement. We have completed screens for the treatment of colorectal cancer and are in discussion with other tumour group clinicians to deploy the system for their personal requirements. |
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We need to ensure that all patients are discussed in MDT meetings. How does the system do this? |
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| eMDT makes use of Ardeo’s integral diary to make sure that patients seen at clinic are scheduled for discussion at MDT meetings and booked for the next stages of treatment. This makes it impossible for patients to slip through the net. It also ensures that waiting time guidelines are adhered to. |
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| 5. | |
What about data confidentiality and security? |
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| eMDT is resident on the Hospital Local Area Network on NHS Net, and it is as secure as existing medical systems. Where required, patient data can be encrypted or made anonymous (by separating clinical data from data that identifies the patient). In general terms, eMDT is a robust and scaleable system that can use a variety of messaging methods to communicate across the network (including email, fax and SMS) to other clinical specialists and to GPs. The content and destination of the email can be automatically set by the system, or modified (and limited) by administrative staff and clinical specialists before it is sent. |
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Can it link into other clinical systems? |
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| Yes. Staff in radiotherapy, pathology and chemotherapy can already use the system to review patient data. eMDT ‘prompts’ (using email, fax or text messaging) the user to log in and receive information when it is ready for them or requires their input. It is planned to link the systems in the above departments via XML, simple text file and direct database links this year. In this way, data existing in those systems can be interfaced into eMDT with no need for re-keying, in the same way that patient demographic data is fed in from the Hospital PAS. |
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| 7. | |
Is it a PACS or Imaging system? |
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| No. eMDT allows a team to gather, share and manage patient information. While entering information about a patient, clinicians can link through to supporting images. At a later time, for example during another consultation or at an MDT team meeting when a patient’s information is being reviewed, a User is able to see the related images. At the right point in the patient care process, eMDT screens present the user with links to the correct images for each patient stored in the PACS system. |
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How will it fit with the national electronic care record system? |
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| We observe the compliance requirements for the national minimum data sets and additional data set requirements for local hospital systems. eMDT has been designed as an open system to encourage external links with central and local IT systems and is designed to simplify connections with other systems. |
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Is it a telemedicine system? |
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| Yes and no. Telemedicine is commonly known for its focus on the adoption of audio and video technology. Telemedicine solutions are often unique technical solutions that have been developed by individual or groups of hospitals. Unfortunately clinicians and administrative staff still need to know when and how to use audio, video conferencing and image viewing software. |
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| eMDT organises and presents patient information as part of an overall MDT process. |
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This includes text, audio, video and image-based information held in external systems, making Telemedicine part of the overall patient care process. eMDT uses embedded ‘viewers’ (configured to correctly use each hospital’s local system) to present the images to the end user when they need to see the information. |
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When a clinician reviews a patient’s details or enters new information, the audio, video conferencing or image system can then be made available. |
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eMDT screens can be used to activate telemedicine features when a clinician needs to send, receive or give other users access to information that is part of a Telemedicine system. |
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| Trusts have commented that eMDT could help deliver a more effective telemedicine strategy. |
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| 10. | |
What is involved and how long does it take to install an eMDT system? |
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| The basic solution is designed with local requirements in mind and after consultation with local clinicians and administrative staff involved in the MDT process. |
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| eMDT can be installed using Ardeo’s IT staff, your own IT staff or your existing preferred IT supplier. |
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| A pilot system can be set up and running within four weeks and can be installed locally on a hospital network or as a service in an external computer facility. |
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| 11. | |
How much does it cost to set up the system and on what terms? |
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| eMDT from Ardeo may be purchased or rented – by hospitals or by individual department, surgical unit or tumour group / care pathway. The price depends on the number of MDTs and tumour groups. |
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It may be purchased as capital expenditure for licensed software to be installed on suitable local computer equipment. |
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It may be purchased as a complete licensed computer system that is ready to put on your hospital network and switched on |
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It may be rented as a service and allocated against revenue budgets |
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| If you would like to take part in the piloting of the system and influence its development, contact us during March for discounted pricing arrangements that reflect the pilot stage. |
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