Olympus Launches the Olympus Knowledge Exchange System

Olympus announces the launch of its Olympus Knowledge Exchange (KE) system, a next-generation software platform offering facilities centralized endoscope reprocessing record and image management through expanded connectivity of Olympus devices.
 
The KE modular platform is built around standard communication protocols HL7 and DICOM, which provides interoperability with most modern electronic medical record (EMR), Radiology information system (RIS) and picture archiving and communication systems (PACS). When the KE communication and endoscope reprocessing management modules are used together, patient and procedure data flows seamlessly between the procedure and the reprocessing rooms.

"The connectivity of our Olympus KE System is a significant advantage, making the system even more valuable to facilities with popular EMR systems," said Kurt Heine, group vice president of the Endoscopy Division at Olympus America Inc. "It allows hospitals to leverage the expense and effort they've put forth to implement an enterprise EMR solution."

In the procedure room the KE system can save time and reduce data entry errors by expanding the connectivity of the Olympus CV-190 video processor.  Furthermore, the KE system provides users with the ability to transfer procedure images to a PACS or EMR system at the highest resolutions available today.

Outside the procedure rooms, the KE system offers connectivity to the Olympus OER-Pro endoscope reprocessor.  By adding the OER-Pro, documentation of the endoscope reprocessing outcomes can be tracked electronically helping users identify quality issues that can adversely affect patient safety.

"The KE data architecture makes merging patient, procedural and reprocessing records possible," said Heine. "By merging this data together users can now demonstrate compliance with endoscope reprocessing standards, and reduce a facility's anxiety during accreditation auditing." 

Olympus' full suite of endoscopy equipment helps physicians and nurses deliver value to patients and help healthcare facilities meet the following key healthcare reform initiatives:
• Increased Quality of Care: Demonstrated compliance with regulatory and accreditation agency standards allows facilities to identify quality issues that can adversely affect patient safety.
• Decreased Costs:  A centralized data repository can eliminate the need to attach computers to individual Automated Endoscope Reprocessors (AER). This reduces AER and IT capital costs and the need to purchase software licensing for each attached computer.
• Enhanced Patient Satisfaction: The system will enhance workflow by using data entry automation and software interoperability. Efficient workflow is essential for keeping a facility running on time and reducing patient wait times.

The Olympus KE System was developed to assist hospitals in establishing and monitoring quality assurance programs in compliance with the guidelines of several medical societies including the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates, Inc. (SGNA); Advancing Safety in Healthcare Technology (AAMI), the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), and the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN).

Source: Olympus Medical Systems Group