PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, in a public demonstration today hostedby His Majesty King Abdullah II, provided a stunning look at the new integrated healthcaretechnology system being implemented for the people of Jordan in the coming year. The project, named"Hakeem" to symbolize the National E-Health Program in Jordan, is managed by the Jordaniannon-profit agency Electronic Health Solutions, with technology implementation and integrationprovided by Perot Systems Corporation (NYSE:PER).
The demonstration was held at the Prince HamzahHospital, highlighting its VistA open source clinical and healthcare information management systemand the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS). Similar technology systems will also beimplemented at the Amman Comprehensive Clinic and King Hussein Cancer Center, as part of the pilothealthcare transformation program for Jordan announced in December, 2008.
"Today we can see thelaunch of King Abdullah II's vision of healthcare modernization across the Kingdom of Jordan, whichwill provide for the highest quality of healthcare available for our people," said Dr. Rami Farraj,Chairman of Electronic Health Solutions and Private Physician of His Majesty the King. "The newtechnology will provide a seamless journey of care for patients through our healthcare system, fromdoctors' offices to clinics to hospitals. This is an historic moment for healthcare inJordan."
Jordan is recognized for its high standards of healthcare in the region as well as itsrapidly growing IT sector. King Abdullah II's vision is to continue to build on these successes byestablishing an effective, integrated national healthcare infrastructure using a single softwareplatform. This project goes hand in hand with building an educational program around VistA'stechnical and clinical processes with the goal of allowing Jordan to become self-sustainable inmanaging its health management information system and enabling it to take this offering to theirneighbors in the region.
"Today's pilot in Jordan, to provide a modernized, integrated healthcaresystem across the country, may well become the pilot for the rest of the region. Learning fromPerot Systems' past experiences, we have been able to avoid many of the pitfalls, as we blend thebest of technology and the best of medicine for the benefit of our people," said Mr. GhassanAl-Lahham, chief executive officer of Electronic Health Solutions.
During the event today theHakeem program team provided an update of what has been accomplished since the project started latelast year, and the "proof of concept" demonstrations of how the system works. Specifically, the teamhighlighted system functionality, including a graphic user interface developed specifically for theHakeem program; electronic medical records showing the holistic electronic patient record whichclinicians will access daily; interaction between the different modules of the system in differentdepartments including lab, pharmacy, radiology and imaging; and Barcode Medication Administration(BCMA) to improve patient care and safety.
"Perot Systems has been proud to support the Kingdomof Jordan for 10 months and be part of the Hakeem team to help make the vision of Jordan'shealthcare transformation a reality," said Raj Asava, chief strategy officer for Perot Systems. "Ourdedicated associates, with extensive experience in large complex projects, have been able to makethe vision of an integrated healthcare technology system a reality for the Kingdom of Jordan. Welook forward to contributing to the Hakeem program as it prepares to roll out to the rest of thecountry."
Speakers at the Prince Hamzah Hospital event today included Dr. Nayef AL-Fayez,Minister of Health, Dr. Rami Farraj, Chairman of Electronic Health Solutions, and Ghassan Al Lahham,CEO of Electronic Health solutions. Following the speakers, His Majesty and a small entourage touredthe Clinic for live demonstrations.
"From the outset this project has been one of the mostexciting clinical transformation initiatives in which we have participated globally. His Majesty'svision is serving as a cornerstone for how nations can work together to meet the needs of people notonly across the region but throughout the world," said Dr. Kevin Fickenscher, Executive VicePresident, Strategic Initiatives, Perot Systems Healthcare Group. "Utilizing the VistA ElectronicHealth Record and a vast array of customized technology solutions, the implementation should deliverimproved clinical outcomes for the citizens of Jordan."