Digitised records are a key component for successful healthcare. Paper-based records are not just inefficient and take up space, “they also carry the risk of spreading infection”, Nash said. There is a risk of them getting lost, Nash points out. It’s not unusual for hospitals to transfer records around cities “in the back of taxis and even the basket of bicycles”. That’s before you factor in the risks of doctors’ handwriting. EMR is a more efficient, lower-cost option for hospitals that includes the eradication of unnecessary duplicate tests and provides better outcomes for patients, he added. It’s also an area in which Ireland lags.

As we begin to see the COVID-19 restrictions lift in Ireland, our public hospital system will come under huge strain as it works to tackle waiting lists which were already the longest in Europe pre-crisis - they will have to operate at just 80% of capacity. The release valve for this pressure will in theory come from the private hospitals, under the agreement signed with the Irish government in March. The patients relevant medical history needs to be shared between hospitals in a secure & reliable way to reduce repeat diagnostic tests, risk and potential delays. Technology is the obvious answer, Vitro Software's PIM solution allows authorised clinicians to access a patients record using PCs or Tablets - a quick to implement system with minimal training requirements...

Healthcare systems around the world are under immense pressure at the moment, whether in the planning stage to mitigate against what might come, or facing it head-on as we speak. While always cognisant of the important service our healthcare workers provide, including those with whom we work daily, we are especially aware & grateful for their service in the current environment. We have taken precautions to help limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus and protect our employees; hence our teams are encouraged to work from home for the moment. We want to reassure our customers that our infrastructure allows us to continue to support them fully in this environment. We have a range of digital solutions which can help hospitals, COVID-19 test centres and home care operators deal during this pandemic... 

IMSTA are planning to double in size as it moves into the growing field of Digital Health. “It is projected that the Digital Health Sector will quadruple in size by 2022 to €140 billion euro,” said Clare Harney, IMSTA Director for Digital Health Transformation. “Ireland is already the second largest exporter of medtech products in Europe. We have the companies, the skills, the expertise and the people to lead the Digital Health transformation of health services worldwide.”

Vitro Software is delighted to become a member of IMSTA. We see the role of industry as a critical pillar in the digital health landscape in Ireland, a country with an array of successful homegrown digital health companies with significant international experience.

We are delighted to be exhibiting at this year's APHA (Australian Private Hospitals Association) annual conference. The 39th annual conference will be taking place at the Adelaide Convention Centre from March 15-17th, 2020. The APHA Congress will bring together leaders from across the private healthcare sector to discuss the ever changing health landscape in Australia and this year focus on "The impact of innovative technologies on health care". What new technology is already being employed overseas and what impact will it have when it arrives on our shores? Issues such as technology advances, cyber-attacks and artificial intelligence as well the risks or benefits they pose will all be discussed through panel sessions, debates and plenaries.