IT services outsourcer T-Systems SA has landed a multimillion-rand deal to provide SAP-based software solutions to the Ethekwini Hospital and Heart Centre's (EHHC's) new hospital in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
The new, independent private hospital will provide a centre of excellence in cardiology and cardiac surgery. The solutions are central to the hospital's strategy to improve a range of office and medical practices.
A spokesman for T-Systems says the contract was awarded at the end of October, and installation is already under way. The company is the general contractor and implementation partner of SAP software. It will deploy SAP solutions covering back-office functions including financials, cost accounting, procurement, HR, payroll, patient administration and billing.
T-Systems will also use its own Industry Solution Health-Medical system (i.s.h.med) for the medical processes. The solution is used by almost 300 hospitals worldwide.
"The goal is to automate core administrative and medical processes. Through greater efficiency, the hospital staff and patients will be able to focus on the business of healthcare and healing," says EHHC CEO Keith Bonsall.
T-Systems says in a statement that central to the clinical solution is the automation of medical processes. Using a system it co-owns with Siemens Medical Solutions, it is implementing the i.s.h.med Basis component - covering clinical logistics aspects like resource scheduling and clinical orders. The i.s.h.med surgery component will streamline the planning process for elective surgery, including assigning surgical staff.
In addition, a radiology solution and retail pharmacy solution will help improve the process of ordering and replenishment of medication in real-time, says the T-Systems statement.
The back-office solution is scheduled for completion by the end of April, while the first phase of a complete healthcare solution is expected to be finalised by June or July.
"The benefit that a hospital group will obtain by using these SAP clinical solutions is tremendous. A total solution from a single source will make processes substantially more efficient," says T-Systems CEO Mardia van der Walt-Korsten.
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