US-based E-Ceptionist has announced that Cardnet, an Italian cardiology hospital network, is to start using its Internet-based case management and appointment scheduling system. Cardnet will be supported by E-Ceptionist’s Italian partner TelBios S.p.A, a supplier of telemedicine services.

The E-Ceptionist system will enable Cardnet’s network of 12 cardiology and cardio-surgery hospitals in the Lombardia region and one hospital in the Valle d’Aosta region of Italy to schedule cardiology consultations and manage the transfer of electronic patient records.

Headquartered in Milan, Cardnet’s network includes cardiology and cardio-surgery centres in the Italian cities of Milan, Pavia, Mantova, Brescia, Lecco and Cremona.

"E-Ceptionist allows TelBios to provide Cardnet with advanced cardiology services for the people of the Lombardia and Valle d’Aosta regions of Italy where such services were previous unavailable," said Fabio Duchini, marketing manager of TelBios.

Merrick Alpert, E-Ceptionist’s chairman, commented: "As E-Ceptionist’s market share continues to expand in Europe, we are honoured to help improve the lives of the people of the European Union." In the UK E-Ceptionist’s clients include Tds (Dermatology) Ltd and the Royal Brompton Hospital.

E-Ceptionist says that its software enables users to schedule appointments in real-time over the Internet as well as create electronic patient records, complete with medical images.