Bethesda Health Care, Microsoft partner for new facility

Bethesda Health Care has partnered with Microsoft to install a cloud-based solution as its Patient Administration System (PAS) at the new mental health clinic in Cockburn, Perth.

Bethesda Chief Executive Officer Dr Neale Fong said adopting Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare comes at a critical time for West Australians, with demand for mental health support rising across the state. “Having the cloud-based system allows an incredible amount of important data to be exchanged from multiple operational and clinical sources, creating more connected consumer experiences, where the consumer is in control of what is shared and who it is shared with.”

Perth-based Velrada is the implementation partner for the project. The facility’s new-generation PAS is said to enhance how consumers access and receive state-of-the-art mental health support, and how they, their families and support networks interact with doctors, nurses and other parties. That means more valuable time can be spent with people needing care and not on manual administration.

The PAS will bring together protected health information from disparate systems into a solution that is based on industry standards to help create a longitudinal record of the patient. This data is then able to support improved consumer care and clinical insights, data analytics, machine learning and potential for artificial intelligence.

This puts Velrada, Bethesda and Microsoft at the forefront of pioneering emerging medical and healthcare technology in Australia.

By using Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, Bethesda can now offer customers and their medical practitioners direct access to their patient history. Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare keeps a record of a consumer’s ‘episode of care’ that allows more personalised and tailored care plans based on their needs. It can track a consumer’s care plan both as an inpatient and outpatient as part of Bethesda’s wellness centre, keeping the customer informed and ensuring the highest level of care.

“A key focus and unique aspect of this approach delivered by Velrada, Bethesda and Microsoft is enabling transitions from the community to inpatient and back into community care as smooth as possible for consumers, patients and their loved ones,” said Dr Nic Woods, Chief Medical Officer at Microsoft Australia.

“There has never been such a need as now to provide new and connected services for people affected by mental health issues. This is a huge step in supporting care across often very complex needs and one that Microsoft is very proud to be taking with Bethesda and Velrada. By harnessing the power of cloud technology, Bethesda will be able to evolve how it engages consumers and patients in their care, to significantly improve outcomes for both patients and staff.”

Bethesda’s purpose-built, state-of-the-art mental health facility in Cockburn, Western Australia, will have a wellbeing centre, consultation rooms and 45 overnight beds that will be expanded to 75 beds in 2023.