Advanced Computer Software : Adastra’s LSP compliance is a first for Dutch out-of-hours care market

Published on: Wednesday 6th August, 2014 Adastra from Advanced is the first patient management system to become compliant with updated Dutch LSP legislation

Adastra from Advanced Health & Care (Advanced) has become the first patient management system to achieve compliance with the latest version of the Dutch LSP system.  LSP - the Dutch version of the UK's NHS Spine Directory - is a nationwide electronic network which enables out-of-hours* care staff to electronically access and share patient records 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 

A number of software providers have achieved LSP compliance, however Adastra is the first system to be compliant with the latest version of the legislation, AORTA V6.11. The latest version came into effect in January 2014 and authorises GPs to access three online databases comprising patient information, care records, lists of prescribed medications and details of existing conditions and intolerances. Adastra is the only LSP compliant system that enables GPs to access all three databases. 

Advanced is also the only LSP compliant provider which offers mobile connectivity, enabling GPs to access patient information remotely and at point of care.

Adastra's mobile working functionality allows clinical staff including GPs and community nurses to remotely access patient information via LSP's secure network. Patient records can also be updated at point of care and sent back to the Adastra system - all via clinicians' mobile devices.

Jim Chase, Managing Director from Advanced Health & Care comments: "Adastra is the first solution of its kind to meet the most recent LSP guidelines. We are looking forward to working with out-of-hours providers in the Netherlands while continuing to work closely with our existing customers to continue to develop Adastra to meet the dynamic needs of the out-of-hours market." 

Adastra's compliance with LSP follows a stringent accreditation programme overseen by two organisations; The National IT institute for Healthcare in the Netherlands (NICTIZ) and the Association of Healthcare providers for Care Communications (VZVZ).  

NICTIZ is responsible for overseeing the clinical aspects of system connection, display and the use of clinical data. VZVZ controls the infrastructure and technical connections of systems via LSP. Advanced worked closely with LSP compliance teams from both organisations in order to meet their requirements.

Advanced also worked with existing Adastra users, Doktersdienst Groningen and Huisartsenpost De Bevelanden, to ensure the Adastra solution met LSP compliance. Following consultations with these customers, additional functionality was added to Adastra including integration between its mobile working module and Prescriptor, a Dutch electronic prescription system. Used together, mobile clinicians are able to send electronic prescriptions to pharmacies directly and update patient records accordingly.

Adastra has also been equipped with new smartcard login functionality which improves security, ensuring only authorised staff can access patient records via mobile handsets and tablet computers.

Henk Supheet, Project Manager, Doktersdienst Groningen comments: "Adastra is key to us delivering out-of-hours services. We have been using Adastra for since April 1999 and have been impressed with the system's ease of use and stability. Compliance with LSP is absolutely essential and will continue to be so as the legislation evolves over the coming years."

Else Heringa, Manager, Huisartsenpost De Bevelanden  says: "We manage many family practices with their own private pharmacies, however until now, our out-of-hours GPs have only been able to view patients' medical histories and not details of medications they have been prescribed. Now that Adastra is LSP compliant, our GPs will have instant access to medication details which will significantly enhance the quality of care we provide."

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Adastra's launch in the UK. The solution was developed specifically to manage episodes of care quickly and safely in demanding unscheduled telephone advice and face-to-face settings, such as urgent care centres and walk-in centres.

Adastra enables service providers to safely and efficiently manage large volumes of care episodes from initial contact with a healthcare provider through to a resolution or onward referral.