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European Patient Administration
Systems Markets
Potential for Integrated Healthcare, Streamlined
Workflows and Improved Administrative Efficiency Motivate Uptake of Patient
Administrative Systems
The pressure of achieving enhanced administrative
proficiency is promoting greater dependence on patient administrative systems
(PAS) that can provide integrated healthcare and reduce paper-dependent
workflows.
Currently, these systems are available to healthcare
centres as enterprise or specialised PAS solutions. The primary challenge lies
in addressing concerns of interoperability, implementation and non-compliance.
To overcome these issues, PAS vendors will need to expand product offerings and
offer customised solutions. At the same time, rising awareness of the benefits
of administrative modules such as electronic medical record (EMR) and e-booking
will spur further growth.
Frost & Sullivan finds that the European Patient
Administration Systems Markets earned revenues of $357.8 million in 2005 and
estimates this to reach $797.1 million in 2012.
"The provision of additional functionality through
such solutions as EMR will drive the European PAS markets," notes Frost &
Sullivan Research Analyst Kiran John. "The shift towards paperless
administration is changing administrative workflows with PAS being instrumental
in propelling this change".
Administrative workflows are changing with the
introduction of more technology into the healthcare environment. Here, it is
essential that the healthcare sector embraces technology that supports improved
administrative workflows.
"PAS performs and supports functionality such as
registrations, daily work planning, communication with primary healthcare
sectors regarding referrals and discharge letters, resource management,
settlements between hospitals and trusts, reporting to central authorities, MIS,
databases, error reporting, EMR, scheduling via e-booking and integration of
clinical and administrative systems," explains Mr. John. "Administrative
workflows are better managed once PAS are made interoperable."
However, budgetary restraints and the existence of a
large number of legacy systems curtail further penetration of PAS across Europe.
The level of technological sophistication varies considerably across Europe and
poses hurdles to smooth implementation.
"The transition from paper-dependent administration
is beset with challenges," cautions Mr. John. "It is increasingly important for
PAS vendors to ensure the seamless transfer to next-generation PAS by
understanding individual requirements and by providing customised solutions."
PAS vendors must capitalise on the rising demand for
administrative efficiency across Europe. PAS offers healthcare centres the
opportunity to implement additional administrative functionality such as EMR and
e-booking, while operating with superior and robust technology.
"PAS vendors must aim to win government contracts as
several government-initiated hospital IT ventures are currently underway," says
Mr. John. "Vendors with a proven track record will be best positioned to create
and sustain a larger installed base in Europe."
For more details, contact : Radhika Menon Theodore-
Corporate Communications at
rmtheodore@frost.com
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