2nd Apr 2008 08:00
Ascribe plc02 April 2008 Ascribe plc ("Ascribe" or "the Group") Ascribe extends integrated Pharmacy and Robotic IT systems to Royal Bolton Hospital 2 April 2008 - Ascribe plc (AIM:ASP), the innovative health IT Group, todayannounced that it has successfully installed its Web Pharmacy solution at theRoyal Bolton Hospital, part of the Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust and that the siteis completely operational. One unique aspect of this 'Go Live' was that, on thesame day that the hospital changed its pharmacy IT system, they also broughtonline a robotic dispensing system; thereby taking a massive leap forward inimproving patient care and safety. The Ascribe Web enabled pharmacy system is designed by healthcare clinicians toensure higher patient safety standards. It achieves this by using a patient'smedication record which effectively warns pharmacy staff automatically, via useof its integrated decision support service, if there may be a dangerous druginteraction or allergic reaction arising from the dispensed medications. The Ascribe pharmacy system was selected by Bolton Hospital NHS Trust because itextends such a broad range of complementary pharmacy services outside of thedispensary. The system has been designed to allow ward-based clinical services,such as medicines management (whereby medicines can be ordered wirelessly fromthe wards) and electronic prescribing and medicine administration (which recordsexactly what medication was prescribed, when the medication was administered tothe patient, and what reaction was noted). In addition to this, the Ascribepharmacy system also provides the hospital pharmacy staff with a bi-directionalinterface from their pharmacy system to their Rowa Speedcase Robotic Dispensingunit, allowing pharmacists to both issue requests for prescriptions to theirrobotic system and receive (stock level) updates from their robot. Brian Smith, Chief Pharmacist at the Royal Bolton Hospital said "The BoltonHospitals NHS Trust is delighted that Ascribe was able to deliver such a robustand flexible pharmacy system within a twelve week project cycle. Our staff haswelcomed the additional patient safety features that are embedded within thesystem and we look forward to extending our pharmacy services beyond thepharmacy itself, thereby saving time and providing a higher level of service toour clinicians and patients." Stephen Critchlow, Executive Chairman of Ascribe plc said "Ascribe is delightedthat the Royal Bolton has taken this step to improve patient safety standards.Our technology enables Hospitals to provide their clinicians with comprehensiveand relevant information when and where healthcare decisions are made. Thistechnology is in increasing demand and we have recently sold similar systems inthe UK (at Addenbrookes Hospital, part of the Cambridge University Hospitals NHSFoundation Trust), and overseas in Australia & New Zealand." - Ends - For further information, please contact: Ascribe plc Stephen Critchlow, Executive Chairman Tel: : +44 (0) 870 053 4545 Simon Mehlman, Group Marketing www.ascribe.com [email protected] Investment enquiries: Cenkos Max Hartley Tel: +44 (0) 20 7397 8900 [email protected] www.cenkos.com Media enquiries: Abchurch Stephanie Cuthbert / Justin Heath Tel: +44 (0) 20 7398 7700 [email protected] www.abchurch-group.com Royal Bolton Hospital Heather Edwards, Head of Communications Tel: +44 (0) 1204 390363 www.boltonhospitals.nhs.uk Notes to Editors About Ascribe Ascribe plc is a leading healthcare company that develops and markets softwaresolutions supporting patient, clinical and business processes to Primary &Secondary healthcare providers in the UK and overseas. Ascribe is committed to providing technologies that improve patient safetystandards and the company's solutions directly improve patient care and deliverfinancial savings to customers. The Group sells directly to hospitals andPrimary Care Trusts rather than through centrally driven political initiatives. The Group provides solutions to clinical professionals in all healthcaresectors; customers include Emergency and Minor Injuries Units, Mental Health andSocial Care Units, Hospitals requiring patient administration systems (PAS) andmedical equipment management, Hospital and Retail Pharmacies, and GeneralPractice surgeries. Offering patient and decision support information to theseclinicians in context with their activity is the key to the company's ongoingsuccess. Ascribe plc was floated on AIM in 2004, and currently employs over 220 personnelthrough its operating companies in the UK, Kenya, Australia and New Zealand. For more information, please visit www.ascribe.com About Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust offers patients a wide range of services based at theRoyal Bolton Hospital as well as some which take place in community settings. Itis the Trust's aim to have the best hospital in the NHS by providing bestpossible care for our patients, improved health for local people, and joy andpride in work for our staff. Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust was formed in April 1994and now serves the population of Bolton (around 265,000) plus some neighbouringareas. The Trust employs over 3,100 staff. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
ASP.L