The infraNET Project and 
The Education Program for Health Informatics Professionals (EPHIP)
University of Waterloo

present ...

Reducing Medical Errors:
Applying Just-In Time Knowledge 

by

Patricia Beretta
and 
Rick Stroobosscher
of 
Medicalis Corp.

Wednesday, November 20, 2002
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Davis Centre, Room 1302
University of Waterloo

There is no charge. Space is limited. 
We recommend registering for the seminar to reserve your seat.
Seats are reserved on a first come, first served basis.

Abstract

Medical errors have been the object of increasing attention since the publication of the Institute of Medicine report: To Err Is Human: Building a Safer Health System . This report estimated that medical errors in U.S. hospitals account for the equivalent of a 747 plane crash every day. A large hospital could save 30-40 hospital beds per year by decreasing adverse drug event-related morbidity. Healthcare providers are just starting to assess the impacts of medical errors on patient safety and on costs. Early responses include on-line Physician Order Entry systems and the delivery of evidence-based care guidance to the point of care.

This seminar illustrates technological advancements focused on reducing medical errors and optimizing the utilization of resources. Medicalis Inc., with Brigham and Woman Hospital (BWH), in Boston, MA, has developed a patented web-based solution that delivers the most current and up-to-date medical information to physicians. The evidence-based information that the physician receives is relevant and specific to each patient interaction. This solution includes a web application for physicians to order tests and review the results, an integration layer that bridges the practitioner s office with the systems of the test-performing institution, and a workflow manager and advice-engine that use relevant knowledge to guide ordering.

The presentation addresses clinical and technological issues: physician reaction and willingness to accept such technologies, the bridging of islands of healthcare information, the embedding of knowledge in interactive and complex processes, and the benefits of knowledge management solutions. A demonstration of the technology used at BWH will also be given.

Patricia Beretta joined Medicalis as Executive VP, Marketing and Strategy in July 2002. Patricia brings to Medicalis her experience in marketing and sales, and clinical research in radiology and cardiology. Previously, Patricia headed up the Market Strategy, MARCOM, and Clinical Management groups with Mitra Imaging Inc. of Waterloo, Ontario. For over 14 years, her multi-functional and executive experience, both in private and publicly held companies in the medical industry, led her into a number of North American and European vendors and hospital sites. For over 10 years, Patricia served with Philips Medical Systems throughout Europe. Patricia has a PhD (Biomedical Engineering) from the University of Lyon I, France. Patricia is a member of the Governing Council of the National Research Council of Canada/Conseil national de recherches du Canada (NRC/CNRC).

Rick Stroobosscher is Medicalis Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Executive VP, Engineering. Prior to joining Medicalis, Rick was the CTO of Mitra Imaging Inc. of Waterloo, Ontario where he focused on developing innovative and standards-based technologies to enhance the integration of disparate clinical systems and the communication of medical data across the healthcare enterprise. Rick was one of the primary architects of solutions for archiving and distribution of image data, as well as integration of image and information systems. Rick also launched and managed Mitra s European headquarters. Rick has a M. Mathematics (Computer Science) from the University of Waterloo, Ontario.

For more information

Shirley Fenton
The infraNET Project
Computer Systems Group, University of Waterloo
(519) 888-4074

Seminar Hosts

This seminar is hosted by the Education Program for Health Informatics Professionals (EPHIP) and The infraNET Project, University of Waterloo.

The infraNET Project, initiated by the University of Waterloo in 1996, is a partnership to advance Web and Internet technologies. Its founding partners are: LivePage (now part of Siebel), MKS, Open Text, RIM, Sybase (Waterloo) and Waterloo Maple.

We also gratefully acknowledge the assistance of the Institute for Computer Research, University of Waterloo.