MAXIMS Scheduler is a generic, multi-resource scheduler that can be configured to meet a number of different requirements.

In England, at the Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology NHS Trust, the MAXIMS Scheduler has been configured to manage radiotherapy scheduling. Its successful introduction so dramatically reduced waiting times that the project won the 2004 Healthcare Information Technology Effectiveness Award, for the best use of Information Technology in the NHS in UK.

Radiotherapy staff are able to schedule all sequential treatments, any pre-treatment appointments, plus other linked appointments, (possibly in other parts of the hospital) - all in one go.

MAXIMS Scheduler utilises easy to use MS Windows web screens throughout and wide use is made of data input through a combination of pick lists, check boxes and date fields to speed data entry whilst also validating data input. Use is made of business rules to guide and control users’ actions.

To enable a healthcare organisation to monitor and enhance the workflow in order to meet key target indicators such as the 18 Week Referral to Treatment, IMS has developed MAXIMS Patient Journey Management System (PJMS) as extension to the Scheduler functionality. The solution fully integrates with other available MAXIMS functionality, through a single user logon and single user interface.

The solution gathers details of key patient activities (referral, diagnostic and treatment appointments and events) into a single view of the patient journey. This is then overlaid with key target indicators, such as the 18 week target date.

Key functionality

• MAXIMS Scheduler – the patient appointment system.
• MAXIMS PJMS – for monitoring and managing targets such as the 18 Week Referral to Treatment Target.
• MAXIMS Patient Correspondence – produces patient based letters for GP’s.
• MAXIMS Management Dashboard – produces forward looking reports for monitoring performance.
• Integration with other Hospital systems (PAS, RIS, etc.).
• Active views - to provide historic and future views of planned events for a patient.
• Records new key data against each appointment e.g. to indicate if an event is intended to be diagnostic or therapeutic.
• Records ‘external’ appointments - where external resources are required, and may impact upon the local healthcare provider’s ability to meet a target for that patient.
• Provision of operational tools that will assist users to plan and monitor individual patient journeys.
• MAXIMS Management Dashboard provides reporting across all patient data.
• Incorporates MAXIMS Integrated Choose and Book functionality to allow patient appointments to be made. The system enables organisations to supply specific date and timeslot clinic availability data to the central service and to receive bookings by return.

Benefits

• Control of activities - Allows early detection and rectification of those patients who have a future appointment which is beyond the target date (and so will cause a breach unless rectified); detection of those patients who do not have a future appointment booked and so may be in need of attention.
• Improved patient journey times through more streamlined work-flow processes which can be developed by the healthcare organisation.
• Immediately identifies those patients whose planned journeys will breach any KPI targets, or whose planned journeys are incomplete and need attention to progress them.
• Allows pro-active actions by users to ensure relevant targets are not breached.
• Focuses effort on those areas and services that are the cause of most concern through the availability of statistical reports.
• Immediate, intuitive and efficient access to up-to-date patient information using a standard web browser (IE6) to view and maintain data.
• Improved user performance as screens can be set up to match working practices for each class of user.
• Assistance with care delivery process as workflow is supported for each class of user.
• Immediate access to supporting data through the use of the “drilling down” technique.
• Quick, intuitive and structured data entry ensured by the use of dialogue boxes containing drop down lists.
• Reduced training overload through the use of a web based system.
• Rapid and easy deployment via local and wide area networking through the use of internet browsing technology.
• Reduced hardware requirements through the use of web functionality.
• Improved efficiency and reduced risk as users have easy and immediate access to all patient information including historical data.