TrakCare Delivers A Regional Electronic Patient Record Across 114 Rural Sites At SWARH

South West Alliance of Rural Health (SWARH) in Victoria is an alliance that includes 12 acute public hospitals spread across an area of approximately 60,000 square kilometers. Intent on bringing the best in urban healthcare to rural areas, SWARH’s innovative use of technology is attracting worldwide attention. More importantly, it is saving lives.

SWARH have connected 114 rural sites via a secure, interactive broadband telecommunications network. The patient and clinical software which forms the heart of healthcare management is TrakCare, chosen for its flexibility, advanced clinical functionality and “FastTrak to EPR” capabilities.

From the moment SWARH went live with the Clinical Information module, they were enjoying the benefits of a regional EPR and the first regional patient ID in Victoria that was shared by all healthcare providers. With TrakCare, clinicians and staff enter data once, at point of care. Acute healthcare services are provided with a unique patient ID, and secure access to a patient’s medical records and results.

Doctors can now reach pathology reports and clinical risk factors within seconds, and issue patient discharge summaries to general practitioners, thereby improving continuity of care.

For the first time, SWARH hospitals have a real-time, ward-based view. Data from their legacy PAS is seamlessly integrated with new test results that come in from third party pathology providers and the system alerts ward staff to these updates. The result is increased quality of care and improved productivity.

TrakCare allows doctors to access electronic patient records in a totally secure environment from any point of care.

SWARH's “Video over IP” capabilities are one of the first in the world, enabling doctors to conduct video consultations with patients in remote areas. Victoria resident Barrie Webster is living testimony to its effectiveness. Barrie was driving near remote Lismore when he felt signs of a heart attack. He drove to Lismore’s Southwest Healthcare facility and was met by the lone nurse on duty. Teleconferencing provided a quick virtual diagnosis and Barrie was stabilised for transfer.

SWARH implemented incrementally and achieved quick results. SWARH staff played a key role in the design of their Trakcare system, which was tailor-made to mirror SWARH’s unique processes and environment. The system continues to be readily modified to adapt to changing policy and process.

SWARH is proof of the impact that today’s technology can have on delivery of care. TrakCare is a part of the backbone that provides people like Barrie with the confidence that his local healthcare facilities will support him in times of need.