Siemens Healthcare has signed an agreement with Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain, to integrate its diagnostic, imaging and information technology systems.

The company and Hospital Clinic will initially focus on three areas – liver fibrosis, foetal medicine and colon cancer – and work together to develop new working practices to increase the early detection of disease or abnormalities, based on integrated information.

“We believe that integrated healthcare solutions are the next generation of patient care,” said Donal Quinn, CEO of Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics.

“By working with Hospital Clinic, Barcelona we will align technologies used to detect and treat several diseases or conditions, so physicians can obtain comprehensive patient information earlier, leading to improved quality of life for patients through earlier diagnosis and treatment.”

Maria Pique, vice director, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, said the agreement would allow it to develop “a new platform for a new concept for patient care.”

“Integrated healthcare will benefit our patients in many ways, including the possibility of replacing invasive testing methods, such as biopsy, with a combination of non-invasive methods,” he said.

“In the case of early detection of a pre-natal condition, we hope to ensure the health of unborn babies.”

Link: Siemens Healthcare