MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., July 24 /PRNewswire/ -- IMPAC Medical Systems, Inc., an Elekta company and a leading provider of information technology solutions for oncology care, has announced that The West Clinic is now live with the automated transmittal of patient entered self-assessment data items via the Supportive Oncology Solution (SOS) Patient Care Monitor(TM) (PCM) to the IMPAC electronic medical record (EMR). The West Clinic, located in California’s Walnut Creek, and recognized as a world class center of excellence in cancer and other advanced medical research, is the first cancer treatment facility to implement the electronic collection of the patient self- assessment via the PCM into an EMR for real-time availability of patient information to oncologists, thereby enhancing the cancer patient visit and automating data retrieval information.
Patients enter physical and emotional symptoms and treatment side effects into the pen tablets upon arrival in the waiting room. The PCM’s guided questions cover all potential areas of concern, which help the physician thoroughly prepare for each patient visit. Once entered into the pen tablet, patient data is immediately transferred electronically and is available in each patient’s respective EMR. Clinicians and staff with IMPAC system security rights are able to instantly view and assess the patient information prior to the patient entering the exam room or infusion area.
“West Clinic helped to work with SOS in an effort to emphasize quality of life in cancer care. The PCM is a cutting edge technology that provides the most comprehensive cancer patient assessment available and can provide an enormous amount of data to aid the physician in prescribing patient treatment,” said Kurt Tauer, MD, The West Clinic. “The PCM is also able to increase the efficacy of accruing patients to the most appropriate treatment protocols, and possibly to accelerate the best drug therapies to market so that patients are provided with designated effective cancer treatments,” added Dr. Tauer.
“There are more than 40 key symptoms that should be assessed and addressed in cancer patients -- above and beyond the treatment of the primary disease. Physicians, biostatisticians, psychologists, and oncology certified nurses joined together to develop this technology. Now that the PCM data seamlessly integrate with IMPAC, The West Clinic again continues to pioneer the way for cancer centers to incorporate technology into the medical oncology process flow to efficiently capture data, thereby streamlining efficacious patient care and information collection,” says Steve Coplon, CEO of The West Clinic.
“IMPAC is proud to contribute to West Clinic’s drive for improved quality of life for oncology patients,” said James Hoey, president and CEO of IMPAC Medical Systems, Inc. “The West Clinic’s reputation as a leading facility in community oncology is certainly validated by its leading role in this successful integration of SOS and IMPAC technology.”
The West Clinic has been a user of the IMPAC oncology management system since October 2005.
For more information, please contact: Lorna Murdock, Marketing Communications Manager IMPAC Medical Systems, Inc. Tel: +1 650-623-8937, e-mail: lmurdock@impac.com Product Inquiries: Jerry McCann, Senior Product Manager IMPAC Medical Systems, Inc. Tel: +1 650-623-8822, e-mail: jmccann@impac.com Investor Inquiries International: Peter Ejemyr, Group VP Corporate Communications, Elekta AB Tel: +46 733 611 000, e-mail: peter.ejemyr@elekta.com About IMPAC Medical Systems
IMPAC Medical Systems, Inc., an Elekta company, provides healthcare information technology (IT) solutions that streamline clinical and business operations across the spectrum of cancer care. IMPAC’s open integration to multiple healthcare data and imaging systems offers oncology-specific patient charting and practice management, as well as best-of-breed systems for anatomic pathology, clinical laboratory, and cancer registry. With products that are used in association with diagnosis and treatment environments through long-term follow-up, IMPAC provides a comprehensive oncology management solution that helps improve overall communication, process efficiency, and the quality of patient care. For more information about IMPAC products and services, please call 888-GO-IMPAC or visit www.impac.com.
About Elekta
Elekta is an international medical-technology Group, providing meaningful clinical solutions, comprehensive information systems and services for improved cancer care and management of brain disorders. All of Elekta’s solutions employ non-invasive or minimally invasive techniques and are therefore clinically effective, gentle on the patient and cost-effective. Clinical solutions include among others Leksell Gamma Knife(R) for non- invasive treatment of brain disorders and Elekta Synergy(R) for image guided radiation therapy (IGRT). Following the acquisition of IMPAC Medical Systems Inc. in April 2005, the Elekta Group is the world’s largest supplier of oncology software. Elekta’s systems and solutions are used at over 3,000 hospitals around the world to treat cancer and manage clinical operations as well as to diagnose and treat brain disorders, including tumors, vascular malformations and functional disorders. With approx. 1,850 employees, Elekta’s corporate headquarter is located in Stockholm, Sweden and the company is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange under the ticker EKTAb. For more information about Elekta, please visit www.elekta.com.
About The West Clinic
The West Clinic located in Memphis, TN, and recognized as a world-class center of excellence for oncology, hematology, and radiology, is a national leader in community oncology. Community oncologists treat 84% of the cancer patients in the nation. The West Clinic is one of a handful of sites for the development of over a dozen of the most effective and widely used drugs for the treatment of cancer. In addition, The West Clinic has pioneered supportive care initiatives and the quality of life emphasis for patients. These initiatives are now embraced by cancer centers across the nation. For more information about The West Clinic, please visit www.westclinic.com.
IMPAC Medical Systems, Inc.
CONTACT: Lorna Murdock, Marketing Communications Manager, +1-650-623-8937or lmurdock@impac.com, or Product Inquiries: Jerry McCann, Senior ProductManager, +1-650-623-8822 or jmccann@impac.com, both of IMPAC MedicalSystems, Inc.; or Investor Inquiries, International: Peter Ejemyr, Group VPCorporate Communications of Elekta AB, +46 733 611 000 orpeter.ejemyr@elekta.com
Web site: http://www.impac.com/
