hTrak^TM Healthcare Solution

hTrak - the solution designed to enable ‘intelligent data’ for inventory systems within Healthcare.

With hTrak users can track inventory activity from patient to supplier; at the point of use. The benefits : improving patient care and financial outcomes.

Solution elements:

• Prostheses tracking
• Patient procedure costing
• Inventory management
• Consignment stock management

Given the complexity of health environments, healthcare managers are facing substantial challenges in their efforts to meet the service delivery needs of their clients. Of critical importance is the ability to pro-actively manage the aspects of inventory such as cost, quality, safety, utilsation and replenishment.

Effective information technology and business process is crucial to alleviating these challenges. Systems are needed to help control internal costs and to maximise the use of human and material resources.

The hTrak solution is based on the ASP (Application Service Provider) model where all data is held on a central server protected with the highest levels of encryption and access controls.

Access to this data and the server elements of the hTrak solution only requires a web browser, password and Internet access. No application software is installed on a customer's PC. Data is collected during the procedure through the use of a Microsoft Pocket PC barcode scanner running the handheld component of the hTrak application. A synchronisation process transfers all data collected since the last sync to the web server. Authorised personnel, through any industry standard web browser, can then view the resulting data on-line or have the data sent to them automatically depending on individual requirements.

The ASP model allows hTrak to provide customers with a quality product master data maintenance capability incorporating critical elements such as the Schedule 5 billing codes. The hTrak mobile application uses the very latest handheld Windows Mobile scanning solutions. We are continuously evaluating the mobile scanning market place to ensure our customers enjoy the very latest in robust, reliable devices. At the time of implementation, we will provide clients with the most suitable hardware options.

Data elements collected

The hTrak handheld application is configured to capture a number of data elements at the point of the procedure. The elements collected can be tailored to meet individual client requirements allowing a flexible approach to implementation and/or integration with other Hospital business applications.

• Patient ID
• Location
• Staff
• Procedure code
• Devices
• Duration

Any or all of these elements can be collected using the barcode scanner incorporated in the Symbol mobile handheld device. Scanning significantly enhances the data accuracy, simplifies data collection and, particularly with device identification, ensures accurate identification of the devices. This enables the automatic capture of the lot number and the expiry date.

Reporting

Once data on the handheld is synchronized to the hTrak web server, reports can be assembled and accessed by authorized personnel using an industry standard web browser. These reports can be provided in a number of formats including HTML, PDF or CSV. Where routine reports are required, an automated compilation and delivery capability exists enabling reports to be forwarded to clients in their chosen format and according to their individual frequency requirements.

Examples of reports are:

• Device usage reports
• Requisitions for replenishment
• Supplier orders for replenishment
• Procedure costing
• Facility utilization
• Schedule 5 device usage (includes all billing requirements)
• Device recall
• Clinical costing
• Department inventory profile
• Consignment stock activity (including lot number & expiry date)
• Inter-hospital device transfer

Business Study

Supply chain:

• Purchase orders auto-generated based on usage
• Consignment stock auto replenished based on supplier contract
• Negotiate supplier agreements; hTrak direct orders via email or EDI
• Visibility of consumption and orders placed with suppliers

Financial:

• Schedule 5 procedures tracked and costed for private patients
• Management reporting for all data elements collected
• Audit stock-on-hand
• Real time expiry tracking of devices at the point of use
• Patient billing by consultant, staff, facility and device usage

Patient safety:

• Alerts for expired devices - data direct from suppliers
• Prostheses tracking by device type, serial number and expiry date

Risk Management:

• Notification of expired devices at point of use or via reporting
• Manage prostheses device usage; implanted or not
• Report on recalls by device and lot number in minutes

Business Management:

• Procedure and demographic reporting
• Device usage and costing reporting
• Cost facility utilisation
• Cost consultant, staff, facility and device usage costs