PC-based "Health-Aware" system developed for early health screening

In what is believed to be an industry first, Mouldmed has announced availability of "Health-Aware" - a modular, PC-based clinic system created for multiple disciplinary practices, with the aim of providing a solution to the current lack of combined facilities that deliver a full health assessment - albeit for Medical Funds, insurance testing, or personalised health management - in one location.

Explains Dr Sarie Brits, vice-chairman of Mouldmed, "Participating investors will purchase the `Health-Aware` systems and it will be installed at identified clinics. The clinics will then use the equipment and pay the investor a percentage of total monthly tests."

"In this way," she continues, "the doctor`s are not required to pay a costly, fixed amount; they will only pay according to the number of tests carried out. Furthermore, medical facilities will be empowered by having the latest technologies available for early diagnosis and screening."

The modular clinic system is also extremely customisable and flexible. "The system`s different components can be used separately, or integrated into a diagnostic unit and linked to a Local Area Network (LAN)," adds Brits.

"Recent changes in the Medical Bill," she says, "have identified the need for medical `Wellness` programmes to provide the necessary services to an expanding market of individuals wanting to manage their own health."

According to Brits, facilities will be established to address the "Wellness" drive currently being experienced in the healthcare market, and may provide a solution for healthcare funders, who have noticed the need for clinics to which patients can be referred for risk screening and "Wellness" programmes.

"Ultimately," she continues, "the system provides a `one-stop-shop` which is convenient and more cost-effective for everyone - a patient`s complete healthcare needs will be addressed, a medical practitioner would be provided will the latest technology, software and equipment to ensure the best possible service, and Healthcare funders could incur significant cost savings because of early diagnosis and timeous intervention."

The screening and monitoring components of the module, together with FDA approved equipment, will consist of the following procedures:

• Resting and stress ECG, screening, and interpretation

• Heart rate variability measurement and interpretation

• Electronic blood pressure recording

• Lung function

• Urine-flow assessment for prostate screening

• Bone density, structure analysis and monitoring

For the above diagnoses, a suggested treatment regiment would be prescribed.

"As new equipment and technology becomes available," says Brits, "these will be added to the system which will further enhance the diagnostic capabilities of Health-Aware."

The "Wellness" component of the system will address the following procedures:

• Body composition and body fat assessment

• Nutrition analysis

• Heart disease risk analysis All screening and "Wellness" procedures will be linked by a locally developed software solution that enables a medical practitioner to diagnose, refer and treat from a single, patient-centric file.

Protea Health Products is the distributor of all components of "Health-Aware", (excluding the urine-flow screening module) and will handle installation, technical support and training, while Mouldmed, who has an existing base of healthcare professionals, will focus on roll-out and co-ordination of the project.

The system is available with several software options. Explains Protea Health Products MD, Rob Miller, "Our specialist medical-IT equipment developers will drive all software solutions and any future development."

According to Brits, the planned roll-out, based on the present need for diagnostic clinic systems, sees 300 multi-practitioner clinics across the country implementing the system. "The deployment of the system will run alongside a strong drive to promote the system internationally," she says.

She adds that the initiative is seeking investors to purchase the system for selected clinics: "In terms of total return on investment, (ROI), a financial investor would be assured of significant returns. To date, the clinic system has received an enthusiastic response from the targeted healthcare community," she concludes.