New software could save lives

9/05/2008 | New Cardiovascular Software

Assessing for cardiovascular risk has entered the information technology age thanks to some help from MidCentral DHB. MidCentral has provided general practices throughout the region with clinical decision support software which enhances GPs’ abilities to conduct a thorough assessment of patients’ risk of heart disease.  

MidCentral spokesperson, Dr Warwick Davenport, describes the BPAC clinical decision support software as, an interactive computer programme which assists GPs and other health professionals, in deciding the best course of action to take with a patient. He explains that this will improve the efficiency and quality of care by streamlining the assessment process.

Dr Davenport believes the software has the potential to save lives throughout the district by identifying many health risks a patient may have.

“40% of New Zealand deaths are related to cardiovascular problems. One third of the population meet the criteria for requiring a cardiovascular risk assessment and this tool allows health professionals to carry this out efficiently, thoroughly and to a high standard.”

Not only does the software streamline patient assessments, it also provides guidelines on the next step in the process, should further action be required.  Local doctor, Jonathan Morton from Radius Medical in Palmerston North is excited about the potential benefits of the software.

“This is a milestone event,” says Dr Morton. “We started with digital records some years ago but this software takes it to a new level, making it work much smarter with ultimate benefits to the public.”

While Dr Morton is careful to point out that the software doesn’t make any decisions for practitioners, it does provide useful support in making these important decisions.  
“Tools like these are influential in assisting doctors to assess patients’ needs,” says Dr Morton.

“They also provide invaluable assistance in planning the next course of action for a patient. For example, if an assessment highlights a patient’s need for medication or lifestyle changes the software will provide a list of suggested medicines and advice, helping the doctor offer the best evidence based treatment for the patient.
“It goes beyond just collecting and storing information to provide a guideline of the next course of action and tools to help streamline the transition between primary and secondary health care.”

An example of the tools Dr Morton is referring to can be seen in the referral letters that patients require from their GPs.  Following assessment the GP may decide to refer a patient to a specialist or other health professional. This new software package has the potential to generate a referral letter with just a few clicks of the mouse. It can then be sent via a secure electronic link to the relevant provider. In this way a patient with a problem may undergo a comprehensive assessment by the GP, have a letter generated and sent in a much more efficient way than was possible before.

“Previously we’ve had to spend a lot of time undertaking administrative tasks that take up valuable hours which are better spent in patient consultations,” says Dr Morton.  “With this software we can quickly generate referral letters and send them immediately.”

MidCentral emphasises that another benefit of the software is that it is not limited to cardiovascular risk assessment. “While our primary focus was a tool to help with cardiovascular risk assessment, we chose a programme that has modules for assessing the risk of  diabetes, respiratory illness, orthopaedic problems, renal failure, skin cancer and stroke,” says Dr Davenport.

“We also looked for a programme that could be used by other members of the primary health care teams, for example, practice nurses, resulting in more people equipped to assess patient risk.”

To conduct a cardiovascular risk assessment requires health practitioners to ask a few questions, perform a quick and simple physical examination and enter the results of a blood test into the software.

MidCentral is encouraging those who qualify by age, gender, and ethnic group to contact their GP to enquire about a cardiovascular risk assessment using this software. The aim is to ensure that all those at risk of heart disease be given the optimum care in the hope that we will remain healthy and live longer.

CONTACT:
Caroline Rowe
Communications Advisor
Funding Division
MidCentral District Health Board
ph: 021 162 0274