Waiting list software scoops top health award
02/11/2009
| Health Awards 2009
A computerised 'traffic light' waiting system developed by urologists Dr Homi Zargar and Mr Quentin King took out top honours at the MidCentral DHB Health Awards last Friday night.
Named Innovation of the Year, the computer software package (ZARKING), aids surgeons in prioritising their waiting lists by allocating a red, amber or green status.
Currently, if a surgeon wishes to plan theatre bookings from his waiting list he would have to print the waiting list and then go through the patients one by one, juggling Clinical Priority Assessment Score, diagnosis, type of surgery, theatre time and the length of time the patient has been on the waiting list.
The ZARKING system streamlines this process. Clinical data is inputted into the programme and the software automatically assigns a red, green or amber status to each patient. It also generates an ideal waiting time and longest waiting time duration, allowing the surgeons to more accurately and efficiently prioritise waiting lists.
The award judges were impressed with the uniqueness of the innovation and its contribution to managing wait times, one of the biggest bugbears of the health system.
"The tool will better enable urologists to spend their scarce time with patients rather than having to manage excess paperwork," explained Mike Grant, chair of the judging panel.
An annual event hosted by MidCentral DHB, the Health Awards recognise the hard work and dedication of health providers in the district. This year's awards dinner and ceremony was attended by over 520 people.
Winners came from both within the health board as well as external health providers including Massey University's Health Conditions Psychology Service who won the award for Excellence in Chronic Care and the Smiling Straight Dental Trust who won the Excellence in Addressing Health Inequalities Award for the orthodontic work they provide to high priority children throughout the district.
Winners of the 2009 Health Awards:
Supreme Award - Innovation of the Year
Dr Homi Zargar and Mr Quentin King - Waiting List Manager Software (ZARKING)
Leadership Award
Aroha Noema - Oranga Hinengaro Maori Mental Health
Kotahitanga Award - Operational Quality Controls
Best Care (Whakapai Hauora) Charitable Trust
Excellence in Addressing Health Inequalities Award
Smiling Straight Dental Trust
Excellence in Child and/or Youth Health Services Award
Manawatu Horowhenua Tararua Diabetes Trust
Excellence in Mental Health and Addictions Award
MidCentral Health Mental Health Services
Excellence in Services for Older People Award
MidCentral DHB General Practitioner Assessment and Liaison Service
Excellence in Chronic Care Services Award
Massey University Health Conditions Psychology Service
Excellence in Collaboration and Integration Award
B4 School Check Programme
Excellence in Training and Education Award
Arohanui Hospice Education and Research Unit
CONTACT:
Caroline Rowe
Communications Advisor - Funding Division MidCentral District Health Board (021) 162 0274
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