Frequently Asked Questions
ACIS refers to “Agile Clinical Information System” that combines various components and functionalities to streamline and manage the operations of a hospital or healthcare organization. ACIS is highly customizable while maintaining required standards in various departments and processes within a hospital, such as patient management, electronic health records (EHR), laboratory and diagnostic services, pharmacy management, billing and accounting, inventory management and more.
ACIS typically consists of a central database and multiple modules or components that cater to different functions within the hospital. These modules communicate with each other, sharing relevant information and ensuring data consistency across the system. In addition, ACIS provides support modules such as quality assurance, education and other relevant data.
Yes, ACIS can be highly customized to fit the specific needs and workflows of a healthcare organization. Each hospital may have unique requirements and the system can be configured and tailored accordingly. Customization options may include adapting forms and templates, creating specialized workflows, integrating with existing systems and aligning with local regulations and standards.
Data security and privacy are critical considerations for ACIS. These systems employ various measures to safeguard patient information, such as:
- Role-based access controls: Access to patient data is restricted based on job roles and responsibilities, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access sensitive information.
- Encryption: Data transmission and storage are often encrypted to protect against unauthorized access or interception.
- Audit trails: The system keeps a record of user activities, allowing for monitoring and traceability of data access and changes.
- Compliance with regulations: ACIS adheres to relevant data protection regulations and standards, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States.
- Regular security assessments: Ongoing security assessments, vulnerability testing and system updates help identify and mitigate potential risks.
Interoperability refers to the ability of different systems and software to exchange and use information seamlessly. ACIS can improve interoperability by adopting standardized data formats and protocols, such as HL7 (Health Level Seven) and FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources). These standards enable the exchange of patient data between different healthcare systems, facilitating better communication and continuity of care. Additionally, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) can be utilized to integrate with external systems or enable third-party developers to build applications that interact with ACIS.
After implementing ACIS several steps are to follow, including:
- Data migration: Transferring existing patient data from legacy systems to the new integrated system.
- User adoption: Training staff on the new system and encouraging its adoption throughout the organization. Resistance to change and initial productivity dips may occur, ACIS has the solution!
- Integration: Integrating ACIS with existing systems or devices within the hospital infrastructure requires technical expertise and thorough testing to ensure smooth operation.
- Fine tuning: before signing off, ACIS team will work with the client to meet all requests.
- Support: ACIS team will support the client onsite and remotely as needed.
- Quality Improvement: ACIS team will assure routine auditing for continuous improvement.
Of course! ACIS is designed to be scalable, accommodating the needs of both small clinics and large hospital networks. It can handle increased patient volumes, expanded departments, additional locations and evolving healthcare requirements. Scalability allows healthcare organizations to adapt and grow while maintaining efficient operations and data management.
Yes, ACIS incorporates telemedicine and remote patient monitoring capabilities. These features enable healthcare providers to conduct virtual consultations, monitor patients remotely, collect vital signs data and manage follow-up care without the need for in-person visits.
When selecting a Hospital Integrated System, healthcare organizations should consider the following:
- Needs assessment: Identify the specific requirements and challenges of your organization to ensure the system aligns with your goals and workflows.
- Vendor reputation: Research and evaluate the reputation, experience, and track record of the system vendor to ensure reliability and ongoing support.
- Customization and scalability: Determine if the system can be customized to fit your organization's unique needs and if it can accommodate future growth and changes.
- Interoperability: Assess the system's ability to integrate with other healthcare systems and technologies, promoting seamless data exchange and communication.
- User-friendliness: Evaluate the system's user interface, ease of use, and training requirements to ensure smooth adoption by staff.
- Data security and privacy: Ensure the system complies with relevant data protection regulations and employs robust security measures to safeguard patient information.
- Cost and Return on Investment (ROI): Consider the total cost of partnership, including implementation, customization, maintenance and support, and evaluate the potential ROI and long-term benefits the system can provide.