Siemens displays pantheon of systems
Siemens Medical Solutions and Siemens Communications unveiled a variety of clinical information system products at this year’s HIMSS conference in Orlando, Fla.
Soarian Clinicals, the company’s next-generation, workflow-engineered healthcare information system, was the featured product line of Siemens Medical Solutions during the show.
It features a workflow engine that simultaneously pushes multiple tasks to multiple people — across care settings, departments, and disciplines. Currently, more than 110 Soarian-enabled workflows are live across the Siemens global customer base, the company said.
The vendor also exhibited its MedSeries4 Clinical Suite, a hospital information system designed specifically for community hospital organizations. MedSeries4 strategically facilitates the drive toward computerized physician order entry (CPOE) and an electronic health record (EHR), making patient data available via an integrated web-based health information system.
Patient data are readily accessible from any internet connection or wireless handheld device for the most current, integrated view of patient information. As an added measure, MedSeries4 uses clinical decision support rules, alerts, and reminders that help prevent errors by checking for contraindications between medication orders and patient information.
Soarian Critical Care, which addresses the clinical, financial and operational workflow challenges of the critical-care team by proactively interfacing medical devices and information, was also showcased. The solution seamlessly collects data from the bedside, including patient monitors and ventilators, to create an electronic flow sheet. It also allows collaboration with the enterprise-wide core clinical and patient management systems making it a key component of an organization’s EHR strategy, Siemens said.
Soarian Quality Measures, powered by the firm’s REMIND (Reliable Extraction and Meaningful Inference from Non-structured Data) platform, was demonstrated on the show floor. The system replaces manual chart reviews with automated chart abstraction of quality measures, as defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and The Joint Commission.
Siemens said its technology analyzes and draws conclusions from all available patient information including structured data, such as demographics and financial information, and unstructured free text found in clinical notes and transcribed reports. The results of the analysis are presented in an intuitive interface that allows an abstractor to review and validate the results.
Soarian Device Connect enables electronic collection of information from GE Healthcare’s Dinamap vital signs monitors, streamlining the task of identifying patients, recording observations, and supports validating documented vital signs. It helps to eliminate opportunities for transcription errors by replacing manual data transcription and allows clinicians electronic access to patient vitals information, according to the vendor.
Invision Clinicals, another healthcare information system from Siemens, was also on display. The product supports both physician and nursing workflows and standardizes the collection and structure of clinical information and follows clinical practice with intuitive screen navigation through a web-based interface. The system features embedded support for point-of-care clinical decisions and integration with the Siemens Rules Engine, which can provide patient-specific alerts, such as notification of lab results to clinicians.
The company also touted its alignment with NextGen Healthcare for physician practice management and electronic medical records solutions that enable interoperability and workflow across the acute and ambulatory continuum. Developed with a focus on clinician workflows and rich clinical content, Siemens and NextGen interoperable solutions demonstrated an intuitive ease of use for practitioners.
Soarian Disease Management was also demonstrated by the firm. The system is a comprehensive, web-based, workflow-driven solution for chronic-care management designed to help chronically ill people get guidance and support in managing their daily healthcare, Siemens said.
A Soarian Portal was showcased that provides physicians and other clinicians with information and tools to support patient care, workflow, and professional enhancement. It gives physicians secure, seamless access to patient information, schedules, and email anytime, anywhere. Critical information, such as patient results, can be “pushed” to physicians as part of their daily workflow.
Siemens also presented the extensive features and capabilities of its syngo Suite, comprised of syngo Workflow, syngo Imaging, syngo Dynamics, and syngo WebSpace. The suite offers advanced RIS, PACS, and processing in a comprehensive package for all imaging needs in radiology and cardiology, the company said.
The syngo Workflow component drives the radiological workflow from order entry to image and report distribution and offers flexible role-based worklists as well as access to relevant information and tools. The solution enables scalable radiology workflow to various clinical and operational needs while optimizing reporting workflow through an embedded voice module. Because it is part of the syngo Suite, there are no additional expenses for data reconciliation of the RIS and PACS databases and for the maintenance of a broker, Siemens said.
By combining multimodality, diagnostic image management from syngo Dynamics with the nursing documentation, orders, and outcomes analysis capabilities of Soarian Cardiology, the Soarian Cardiology and syngo Dynamics solution provides procedural and episodic care reporting capabilities and a cardiovascular electronic patient record (EPR) that supports the cardiac care process, according to the vendor.
The company debuted enhancements to its syngo WebSpace, which turns office personal computers and laptops into CT workplaces It offers real-time access to CT data at a doctor’s office, home, or on the road through a network connection. Enhancements to syngo WebSpace feature Advanced Vessel Analysis, which includes refined vessel segmentation algorithm, centerline editing capability, guided workflow (less steps), automated measurement tools (true/false lumen, stent planning) and improved reporting tools.
Another addition to syngo WebSpace is a 2D viewing card, located within InSpace 4D that supports all DICOM images, secondary capture, and multiple 2D tools which can be used when a PACS is not available. As a value-add to small practices, as well as rural and urban community hospitals, syngo WebSpace facilitates from three to 20 concurrent sessions, depending on the server configuration, from any number of users throughout the hospital network and via secure access from remote locations, the company said.
The developer also showcased its pharmacy, medication administration check and patient identification check systems.
Siemens Pharmacy helps to automate, track, and quality assure the medication use process. By monitoring pharmacy orders, the solution reduces cycle times, the company said. Integrated with Siemens’ Med Administration Check, a barcode point-of-care system designed to help automate, track, and quality-assure the medication use process, Siemens Pharmacy provides a common view of medication data among pharmacists and nurses.
Siemens Med Administration Check automatically validates and documents the medication administration process to reduce errors and improve care. It helps to reduce errors by providing a tool for the care team with medication and the patient’s ID bracelet that alert nurses immediately to potential errors of drug, dose, route, time, or patient.
The system helps to streamline the medication process by documenting barcode scanning in an electronic Medication Administration Record (MAR). Medication administration details are captured at the point-of-care and are automatically documented in the patient’s EHR, along with additional patient information such as injection site, vital signs and pain assessments. With wireless PCs and barcode scanners, the nursing care team can use the solution to access other nursing functions such as I&O assessments, at the patient’s bedside.
Siemens Patient Identification Check is a clinical system that applies barcode technology to the patient specimen collection process for positive identification of each specimen, minimizing collection errors and reducing the need to re-draw specimens. Patient specimen identification is verified in four steps, performed in the presence of the patient: scanning the barcode on the clinician’s ID card, scanning the barcode on the patient’s wristband, reviewing specimen detail such as the type of container, and scanning the specimen container. The system prints a barcode label that includes the time of collection and the name of the clinician who took the sample.
Siemens Communications brought its healthcare offerings to the Orange County Convention Center and saw substantial traffic during its demonstrations. The division spotlighted four products during the 2008 HIMSS conference:
Soarian Clinicals, the company’s next-generation, workflow-engineered healthcare information system, was the featured product line of Siemens Medical Solutions during the show.
It features a workflow engine that simultaneously pushes multiple tasks to multiple people — across care settings, departments, and disciplines. Currently, more than 110 Soarian-enabled workflows are live across the Siemens global customer base, the company said.
The vendor also exhibited its MedSeries4 Clinical Suite, a hospital information system designed specifically for community hospital organizations. MedSeries4 strategically facilitates the drive toward computerized physician order entry (CPOE) and an electronic health record (EHR), making patient data available via an integrated web-based health information system.
Patient data are readily accessible from any internet connection or wireless handheld device for the most current, integrated view of patient information. As an added measure, MedSeries4 uses clinical decision support rules, alerts, and reminders that help prevent errors by checking for contraindications between medication orders and patient information.
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| Siemens’ syngo WebSpace allows office personal computers and laptops to be utilized as a CT workspace. |
Soarian Quality Measures, powered by the firm’s REMIND (Reliable Extraction and Meaningful Inference from Non-structured Data) platform, was demonstrated on the show floor. The system replaces manual chart reviews with automated chart abstraction of quality measures, as defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and The Joint Commission.
Siemens said its technology analyzes and draws conclusions from all available patient information including structured data, such as demographics and financial information, and unstructured free text found in clinical notes and transcribed reports. The results of the analysis are presented in an intuitive interface that allows an abstractor to review and validate the results.
Soarian Device Connect enables electronic collection of information from GE Healthcare’s Dinamap vital signs monitors, streamlining the task of identifying patients, recording observations, and supports validating documented vital signs. It helps to eliminate opportunities for transcription errors by replacing manual data transcription and allows clinicians electronic access to patient vitals information, according to the vendor.
Invision Clinicals, another healthcare information system from Siemens, was also on display. The product supports both physician and nursing workflows and standardizes the collection and structure of clinical information and follows clinical practice with intuitive screen navigation through a web-based interface. The system features embedded support for point-of-care clinical decisions and integration with the Siemens Rules Engine, which can provide patient-specific alerts, such as notification of lab results to clinicians.
The company also touted its alignment with NextGen Healthcare for physician practice management and electronic medical records solutions that enable interoperability and workflow across the acute and ambulatory continuum. Developed with a focus on clinician workflows and rich clinical content, Siemens and NextGen interoperable solutions demonstrated an intuitive ease of use for practitioners.
Soarian Disease Management was also demonstrated by the firm. The system is a comprehensive, web-based, workflow-driven solution for chronic-care management designed to help chronically ill people get guidance and support in managing their daily healthcare, Siemens said.
A Soarian Portal was showcased that provides physicians and other clinicians with information and tools to support patient care, workflow, and professional enhancement. It gives physicians secure, seamless access to patient information, schedules, and email anytime, anywhere. Critical information, such as patient results, can be “pushed” to physicians as part of their daily workflow.
Siemens also presented the extensive features and capabilities of its syngo Suite, comprised of syngo Workflow, syngo Imaging, syngo Dynamics, and syngo WebSpace. The suite offers advanced RIS, PACS, and processing in a comprehensive package for all imaging needs in radiology and cardiology, the company said.
The syngo Workflow component drives the radiological workflow from order entry to image and report distribution and offers flexible role-based worklists as well as access to relevant information and tools. The solution enables scalable radiology workflow to various clinical and operational needs while optimizing reporting workflow through an embedded voice module. Because it is part of the syngo Suite, there are no additional expenses for data reconciliation of the RIS and PACS databases and for the maintenance of a broker, Siemens said.
By combining multimodality, diagnostic image management from syngo Dynamics with the nursing documentation, orders, and outcomes analysis capabilities of Soarian Cardiology, the Soarian Cardiology and syngo Dynamics solution provides procedural and episodic care reporting capabilities and a cardiovascular electronic patient record (EPR) that supports the cardiac care process, according to the vendor.
The company debuted enhancements to its syngo WebSpace, which turns office personal computers and laptops into CT workplaces It offers real-time access to CT data at a doctor’s office, home, or on the road through a network connection. Enhancements to syngo WebSpace feature Advanced Vessel Analysis, which includes refined vessel segmentation algorithm, centerline editing capability, guided workflow (less steps), automated measurement tools (true/false lumen, stent planning) and improved reporting tools.
Another addition to syngo WebSpace is a 2D viewing card, located within InSpace 4D that supports all DICOM images, secondary capture, and multiple 2D tools which can be used when a PACS is not available. As a value-add to small practices, as well as rural and urban community hospitals, syngo WebSpace facilitates from three to 20 concurrent sessions, depending on the server configuration, from any number of users throughout the hospital network and via secure access from remote locations, the company said.
The developer also showcased its pharmacy, medication administration check and patient identification check systems.
Siemens Pharmacy helps to automate, track, and quality assure the medication use process. By monitoring pharmacy orders, the solution reduces cycle times, the company said. Integrated with Siemens’ Med Administration Check, a barcode point-of-care system designed to help automate, track, and quality-assure the medication use process, Siemens Pharmacy provides a common view of medication data among pharmacists and nurses.
Siemens Med Administration Check automatically validates and documents the medication administration process to reduce errors and improve care. It helps to reduce errors by providing a tool for the care team with medication and the patient’s ID bracelet that alert nurses immediately to potential errors of drug, dose, route, time, or patient.
The system helps to streamline the medication process by documenting barcode scanning in an electronic Medication Administration Record (MAR). Medication administration details are captured at the point-of-care and are automatically documented in the patient’s EHR, along with additional patient information such as injection site, vital signs and pain assessments. With wireless PCs and barcode scanners, the nursing care team can use the solution to access other nursing functions such as I&O assessments, at the patient’s bedside.
Siemens Patient Identification Check is a clinical system that applies barcode technology to the patient specimen collection process for positive identification of each specimen, minimizing collection errors and reducing the need to re-draw specimens. Patient specimen identification is verified in four steps, performed in the presence of the patient: scanning the barcode on the clinician’s ID card, scanning the barcode on the patient’s wristband, reviewing specimen detail such as the type of container, and scanning the specimen container. The system prints a barcode label that includes the time of collection and the name of the clinician who took the sample.
Siemens Communications brought its healthcare offerings to the Orange County Convention Center and saw substantial traffic during its demonstrations. The division spotlighted four products during the 2008 HIMSS conference:
- Remote Physician Consult and Collaboration: Siemens Communications’ HiPath OpenOffice, HiPath 8000 and OpenScape Video allow physicians to use these IP-based unified communications solutions to address patients’ needs by offering remote consultation and increase collaboration with other physicians and medical personnel;
- HiPath Healthcare Solution HiMed: Siemens’ bedside patient entertainment and education terminal that lets patients make phone calls, watch TV, listen to the radio, surf the internet and even play games. At the same time, HiMed gives doctors and nursing staff direct access to all essential data at the point of care. During patient consultations, the latest diagnostic images or laboratory data, for example, can be retrieved and compared with previous results on the spot. Personalized smart cards ensure that only authorized healthcare professionals can access this data;
- HiPath Healthcare Mobility Solutions: wireless LAN and Fixed Mobile Convergence connectivity solutions streamline workflows and enable mobility through unified communications and seamless Wi-Fi connectivity both inside and outside a medical facility; and
- Client Notification Solutions: HiPath DAKS, Draeger Monitoring, RFID and wireless device solutions provide real-time vital sign monitoring and alarms.