grace

I am now working on implementing software and currently deployed to a small hospital in TX. Happy to report we have barcode scanners at every workstation in the lab. I think they are much less expensive now - only about $200 each. We are also implementing single-sign-on, which allows one login to get into the workstation and then automatically logs into every application. We even have ID badges that are configured to log in and out by simply waving them near a reader.

Ironically, McKesson just recently sold Wyndgate. So much for "going with one vendor".

Find out which agencies accredit your facility, JCAHO, CAP, AABB, etc. They all have customer service folks who will answer questions from a customer. They will need your customer ID. In the interest of maintaining a good relationship with your manager, offer to make inquiries for her. I'm sure she enjoys clean surveys and would welcome your effort to be proactive, as long as you keep your approach professional.

Mable is right that the change needs to be made in the HIS or physician's portal or EMR......the place where nurses and doctors would see it. I've worked for two different software companies and both of them had more ideas for new development than they could handle at any given time. They both were motivated by customer input to make changes but the best time to force a new idea is BEFORE you buy an application. Make it part of the negotiation. Good Luck!!

Samir: This is a follow-up to a voice mail I left for you, containing my cell #. I can also be reached at gcpfeiffer@datainnovations.com. I'd be delighted to chat with you anytime. Grace

Data Innovations provides middleware directly to end users as well as through business partnerships with a large number of instrument vendors and LIS vendors. Thus, it is pretty common to find DI's middleware in the connection. This is somewhat dependent upon the interface capability of the instrument and/or LIS. The middleware product sold in the US, Instrument Manager, is 510k cleared for use in Blood Bank operations. It certainly needs to be part of the configuration that is tested during validation. I work for Data Innovations, but have no problem answering your questions on this forum, as long as the group does not mind. Feel free to check out our website www.datainnovations.com, for more details. The folks who answer the Sales Department lines are very friendly and helpful too.

Hello Samir: If a laboratory is using Wyndgate's Blood Bank LIS, the interface to instruments is provided by Data Innovations, Inc., a middleware vendor. This is also true for laboratories that use McKesson blood bank systems, as they are actually rebranded Wyndgate systems. Cerner also rebrands the Wyndgate product for donor services only. I hope you find this information to be helpful. Grace Pfeiffer

I can see from the title of your original post that you are aware that the software is actually produced by Wyndgate and sold by Cerner. I believe this means you also will be getting Instrument Manager, a middleware product that assists in connecting your instruments to the LIS. I work for Data Innovations, Inc. who supplies Instrument Manager. I'm interested in learning how this works out for you. Grace

Did you get your ProVue interfaced?

Ortho is indeed the supplier of ProVue in the US. If your laboratory has Ortho instruments in Chemistry, you may already have middleware that is designed to connect instruments to the LIS. You just need to add a connection to the ProVue to the middleware. Check with your LIS Administrator.

Judy: Is the new national VA BB system identified as coming from Cerner?

To roxiana: I work for a middleware company and we are always on the lookout for development opportunities. Would you care to tell me about anything that your current software leaves to be desired?

If you ultimately get totally stuck, please consider middleware, before giving up. I work for a middleware vendor, so do not want to get into deep discussion, but would be happy to discuss this with you privately, if you wish. Best wishes.

Hospitals tend to want to pay whatever the other hospitals in the market area are paying. It would be most useful, if you could find out what the job you're going after pays in one or two other hospitals in the area. Most likely it would be a range. If the offer you've gotten is way off, you'd be armed with a compelling negotiation point. It's not so bad if the job is not salaried. This means you must be paid extra, if you work OT, which is very likely, if you have staffing problems. Best wishes for a great offer!

The biggest reason these products cost as much as they do is the very small number of potential buyers. Compare the number of active contracts to the number of staff listed to support the product for any one of the products listed. They all have to get enough revenue up front to be able to cover a lot of overhead and continue in business.