Two Canberra public hospitals are taking a fast track to the digital future with the announcement of a new information management system for Intensive Care Units (ICUs) at Canberra Hospital and Calvary Public Hospital.

ACT Minister for Health, Katy Gallagher, said, "ACT Health has signed a contract with Vision Software Solutions Pty Ltd, an iMDsoft company, to provide a fully integrated clinical information system, MetaVision, that will enable paperless management of patient records in our ICUs.

"The $1.7 millioncontract forms part of the ACT Government's commitment to e-health projects in our public health system," she said.

"The MetaVision information management system was specifically designed for the critical care environment. It captures, displays and stores the large amount of data generated in the ICU and builds an electronic record covering the entire patient stay.

"The new system will enable ICU staff to manage clinical records and documents electronically such as progress notes, medication management, x-rays and scans.
"This will mean a single, secure source of information for each patient, and staff spending less time on paper records and more time on direct patient care activities," Ms Gallagher said.

Dr Kelvin Grove, Acting Director of the Intensive Care Unit at Canberra Hospital, said staff members were looking forward to the introduction of the MetaVision system.
"In the last 12 months, 2350 patients spent time in the Intensive Care Units at Canberra Hospital and Calvary public hospital," he said.

"This new system will provide an integrated and complete view of patient health information at the point of care, and enhance patient safety by reducing transcription and documentation errors," Dr Grove said.

The CEO of iMDsoft, Phyllis Gotlib said the company was delighted to add the ACT's Canberra and Calvary Hospitals to the growing list of Australian medical facilities choosing MetaVision for their ICUs.

"MetaVision's single platform and staging mechanism will enable the two hospitals to maintain uniformity in the structure of their data, and to enforce protocols and best practices," Ms Gotlib said.

"We are confident that the hospitals will rapidly realise benefits such as enhancements to overall care quality, streamlined administrative processes and improved financial performance," she said.

The ICU system is part of a $90 million e-health program which was announced in the 2009/10 ACT budget.