University of Kentucky Healthcare has appointed Forcare to install a new enterprise interoperability system that will assist in the integration of the school’s internal and external systems.

The implementation will provide UK Healthcare with a unified system that supports clinical interoperability while strengthening partnership networks, which, in effect, will reduce costs, increase efficiency and improve patient outcomes.

“The systems that comprise an infrastructure speak different languages,” said Greg Maxey, a spokesperson for Forcare. “DICOM, HL7 – multiple versions – and ADT are just a few samples of the IHE profiles that the systems of a hospital speak … we stood up a full XDS infrastructure that is a truly standards-based system, that speaks all the IHE profiles.”

The system has already enhanced the capabilities of UK Healthcare’s electronic health records and can be installed without the disruption or replacement of its viewers, PACS, EHR or other forms of technology.

The complete integration will take place over two phases. The first, which is due to be complete by the end of this summer will integrate and streamline access to internal documents and imaging systems, and will include Forcare’s universal viewer as a single point of access for radiologists both on- and off-campus. Radiologists can also choose their own diagnostic viewers for studying images.

The second phase will enhance clinical workflow by allowing physicians more management over their referral process, such as being able to only share information that they deem necessary for clinicians to know and deciding when it is necessary.

Maxey says that the installation also is an affordable, cost-saving measure.

“The health system can keep the legacy equipment and unlock the data within [it], and provide it to the Allscripts EHR,” he said. “Can you imagine the savings that provided the system? They literally were going to pull and replace things just to communicate with the EHR. Our XDS infrastructure is the super aggregator if you will.”

The end date for the second stage is not yet clear. Forcare will continue working with UK Healthcare on the integration and understanding of the XDS system.

UK Healthcare did not respond to an email for comment.

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