NHS Forth Valley signs contract for cloud-based software from Infix

NHS Forth Valley and NHS Highland health boards have both signed contracts with Scottish health tech start-up Infix, joining NHS Lothian in deploying software to improve efficiency in the operating room.

Infix:Schedule helps improve the efficiency of surgical operating theaters and helps deal with the backlog of patient waiting lists. According to an independent review by the University of Stirling, Infix:Schedule can improve efficiency in the operating theater by up to 40%.

The company also has a cloud-based virtual portal, Infix: Preop, which helps optimize patient routing. Both are to be posted in the Boards of Health.

For NHS Forth Valley this is the latest of a number of digital innovations being deployed by the health board to improve efficiency. Late last year, it implemented a Morse EPR app for its mobile community of employees to work more effectively and foster collaboration.

Andrew Murray, Medical Director of NHS Forth Valley, said: “NHS Forth Valley has a strong track record in adopting the use of new technology to deliver safe and effective care.

“This new system will help us manage our operating theater lists more effectively, while ensuring that patients continue to be prioritized according to their clinical needs and wait times.”

The software was integrated with NHS Lothian’s existing systems earlier this year, and has so far enabled the health board to complete an additional 570 operations in eye cases alone. This represents an estimated £2 million saving and has led to a significant reduction in waiting lists.

Calum Campbell, chief executive of NHS Lothian, said: “The support of the infix scheduling system and the transparency within which this system presents opportunities for improvement is excellent.”

new partnership

Infix also announced a new partnership with Intersystems, a provider of next generation solutions for enterprise digital transformations. This partnership will expand Infix’s integration capabilities and enable it to access global markets.

Chris Norton, Managing Director UK & Ireland at Intersystems, said: “Our integration capabilities will allow Infix’s customers to benefit from enhanced interoperability within healthcare settings, and we look forward to seeing this relationship grow in the future.”