Galway University Hospital sign contract to implement new electronic based patient record system

A €2.5 million contract was signed this week between the HSE, the Saolta University Health Care Group, GUH and software company Kainos Evolve to implement a new electronic based patient record system in Galway University Hospitals. The contract includes software customisation and scanning over a five year period.

Commenting Ann Cosgrove, Chief Operations Officer Saolta University Health Care Group said, “Our hospitals have been largely dependent on paper based patient records which can be difficult to access efficiently on a round the clock basis and which incur significant maintenance and storage costs.  This new system will provide for the transfer from a paper based to an electronic based system that will allow staff access patient records 24/7 directly at the point of care. The project will be based at GUH initially and we hope to extend it to other hospitals in the Group”.

Dr Ramona McLoughlin, Consultant Gastroenterologist at GUH said “Having patient records available immediately when they access healthcare 24/7 will have a tremendous benefit on the quality of patient care.  But this new system will allow so much more than that.  It will enable us to optimise care pathways, to improve workflow, to facilitate multidisciplinary team involvement, to enhance disease specific management.  It will impact on our ability to do audit and research allowing us to ensure patients receive the best standard of care currently, and can avail of the latest treatments available”.

Martin Molloy Information Services Manager at Galway University Hospitals added, “We have procured an IT portal-type solution that will allow us to develop a single view of electronic and paper based data using smart scanning technology. This new system will allow staff access patients’ records quickly and easily and reduce the cost associated with storing vast amounts of paper records”. 

Brendan Mooney, CEO of Kainos Group, commented, “I’m delighted to announce this first contract win for Kainos Evolve in Ireland - this is testament to the quality of our offerings and the investment that we have in our healthcare platforms in recent years.   With Evolve we are confident that Galway will be seen as a leader in healthcare IT transformation and will reap the benefits of efficient, effective patient care”. 

Richard Corbridge, CIO HSE, CEO eHealth Ireland said, “This is a great step forward in developing a digital fabric that will enable health care proffessionals to access patient records when needed and in doing so enhance patient care. This is another example of how digital can make an impact on improving processes and help enable us all in building a better health service".

Photo caption
Pictured at the signing of the contract with Kainos Evolve are: Ann Cosgrove, Chief Operations Officer, Saolta; Seamus Butler, Delivery Director Acute Hospitals, HSE Office of CIOO; Paula Power, Medical Records Officer GUH; Chris Kane, General Manager, Galway University Hospitals; Anthony Dooher, Business Development Manager, Kainos; Martin Molloy IS Manager GUH; Dr Ramona Mcloughlin, Associate Clinical Director, Medicine, GUH and Vincent Jordan, HSE Office of CIO.