Ireland deploys new PAS system

A new patient administration system (PAS) has been rolled out across Ireland as part of a drive to cut down on paperwork and make the health service more efficient.

The deployment of the IMS MAXIMS technology follows the introduction of the National Integrated Medical Imaging System (NIMIS), which will make Ireland’s radiological services filmless and enable secure and rapid movement of patient image data throughout the health service.

Shane Tickell, chief executive of IMS MAXIMS, said: “One of the key objectives has been to support the Health Service Executive’s agenda to join up healthcare systems to improve the patient journey.

“The Irish PAS holds more than 1.9 million records across the country, so it is imperative we work with healthcare organisations to ensure they are getting the very latest and fit-for-purpose functionality.”

In the new system, outpatient functionality has been enhanced so data quality and reporting for the Department of Health’s Special Delivery Unit (SDU) is streamlined in order to allow hospitals to quickly and easily make statistical returns. The A&E facilities have also been upgraded to support the recording of performance indicators so that daily returns on activity levels can be passed directly to the SDU. And interfacing has been extended to further integrate the PAS with key clinical systems, including the integration of oncology and endoscopy services in order to streamline patient information and improve care delivery.

Other developments include additional functionality to ensure the recording and processing of European Health Insurance Card information can be obtained in line with HSE requirements as well as the deployment of text-messaging technology for outpatient appointments.

Tickell said: “With the advances to the software, each of the organisations should feel it is meeting HSE and SDU requirements on top of driving efficiency and improving patient care.”