25 mei 2020 • Deventer • 2 minute read
For several months now, the Health Care Laboratory on Sint Maarten has been using a smart and unconventional laboratory information system called Lab Online. It was exactly what clinical chemist and laboratory owner Fey van der Dijs (pictured) was looking for: 'This system aligns with the vision I have.' As it turns out. The lab currently plays a crucial role in testing for COVID19.
At the time of this interview, we are in the midst of the corona crisis and residents in Windward Islands are being hit extra hard. Both by the number of seriously ill people and by the economic consequences. The laboratory on St Maarten may be called a modest stroke of luck in this great misfortune. Health Care Laboratory St. Maarten (HCLS), as it is officially called, currently plays a pivotal role in testing for COVID19. HCLS carries out the so-called polymerase chain reaction tests for Sint Eustatius, Saba and Sint Maarten. These are tests to see if there is genetic material from the virus in nasal or oral cavities.
Van der Dijs talks enthusiastically as he leads us through his modern lab via video calls. 'The lab is still quite new. We were also hit hard two years ago, by Hurricane Irma. The lab suffered tremendous damage. We had to rebuild.' Because Van der Dijs was not hindered by existing processes and systems when setting up his laboratory, he was able to think freely and then formulate his requirements for a laboratory information system. 'I wanted my customers to be able to call on a lab without having to have one physically at their disposal,' he says. HCLS aims to introduce the highest level of laboratory medicine to the Antillean islands. The idea is that clients (healthcare providers, etc.) who work within flying distance can use laboratory services quickly and cost-effectively. And of course the guaranteed privacy of patients is a prerequisite.’
In Lab Online from Topicus, the healthcare entrepreneur found the system that offered the right solutions. With this, he has a laboratory information system that meets his requirements in terms of quality, time and cost efficiency. In about 10 minutes, a plane brings laboratory tubes from Sint Eustatius and Saba to Sint Maarten. Within an hour, the contents are examined at the local Health Care Laboratory and the results are securely online, insightful for the healthcare provider. 'And the beauty of this system is that the doctor can not only request a lab examination remotely, but also invoice for it.' So isn't this set-up simply the laboratory of the future, as reliable, flexible and cost-efficient as it functions? Van der Dijs says: 'You could put it that way. We are proving that it works extremely well.’
Emiel Smit, manager at Topicus, is proud and obviously happy with the choice made by Van der Dijs. 'That we were allowed to realise the first transatlantic laboratory information system is of course really cool. We simply implemented remotely because it’s possible. And travel and accommodation costs were not incurred as a result. But most of the credit goes to Fey and his team. He had the vision and thus the balls to opt for our non-traditional solution.' Van der Dijs laughs heartily at that description. 'It's just a matter of not being conformist. And previous setbacks and limitations simply make you more creative.’
Clinical chemist and laboratory owner
Image: www.st-maarten.com
In the Netherlands, the corona outbreak created a shortage of analytical capacity for laboratory testing for COVID-19. Topicus worked with RIVM and Facilitaire Samenwerking Bevolkingsonderzoeken (FSB) to develop CoronIT. This IT platform allows laboratory capacity normally used for cerv...
Since 30 March, a national system for ambulance capacity planning has been operational in the LCPS (National Coordination Centre Patient Distribution). Thereby, supra-regional movement of corona patients should become easier.
Hoe slimmere IT-oplossingen gezondheidsonderzoeken op de middelbare school verbeteren.