Topicus is developing an application that will make the healthcare process of breast cancer screening more efficient, better and faster and that will fit in with the work process.
The population screening for breast cancer makes an important contribution to the early detection of breast cancer in women aged 50 and over. Annually, 1,1 million women are screened, of which 25.000 are referred to the hospital for further examination. Thanks to early detection, the population screening prevents about 850 deaths annually. However, the screening process was not very efficient, so women often had to wait a long time for the results. And in this case, waiting means uncertainty.
Can you develop an application that makes the healthcare process of breast cancer screening more efficient, better and faster and that fits in with the work process?
Along with our client FSB (Facilitaire Samenwerking Bevolkingsonderzoeken), we analysed the screening process and listed their wishes. Based on our knowledge of and experience with the latest linking technologies, we then came up with possible software solutions. Once FSB had made strategic and tactical choices and the plan of action was clear, we started to develop the software. This development process involved continuous interaction with FSB and other companies supplying systems for screening. We looked at how the link between their systems and the screening application could be established in a good and secure way. Existing guidelines and quality requirements were also taken into account, such as those of the Dutch Expert Centre for Screening (LRCB), which is responsible for quality monitoring and certification of population screening.
There is now an automated system that is online all day. This makes it possible to schedule appointments quickly and easily. Whereas previously mammograms were sent by courier from the screening locations to FSB on a hard disk, they are now sent to a central server on which assessors can log in. In the event of an unfavourable assessment, the GP immediately receives the digital results and can inform the patient and refer them for further examination. In addition, images and reports can be exchanged with hospitals in a structured manner. This offers the possibility to perform analyses on the data at a later stage, for instance via business intelligence. And all this within the applicable privacy guidelines.
Digitisation has halved the time it takes to get the result. Women therefore do not have to wait as long in uncertainty. And if an abnormality is found, faster referral for follow-up examination is possible.
Hoe slimmere IT-oplossingen gezondheidsonderzoeken op de middelbare school verbeteren.
