This month’s industry round-up reports on contract signings and industry awards; with iSoft and Carestream Health both receiving Frost and Sullivan recognition for key products.

Simpl creates testing framework

Healthcare IT advisor and integrator Simpl has created a software application development testing framework for Informing Healthcare, the NHS technology programme in Wales. The testing framework defines a consistent approach to in-house application testing across the organisation. The framework provides a set of documents which provides clear testing guidance and sets expectations to external, third-party suppliers of applications.

Nottingham picks DIAMOND.net for diabetes management

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has chosen DIAMOND.net from Hicom as a web browser-based diabetes care management solution for its Queen’s Medical Centre and City Hospital campuses. Using DIAMOND.net, the trust will be able to collate patients’ diabetes data in one central location, facilitating quick and easy remote access for clinicians. Previously, the two hospitals were using the desktop-based version of the software.

Salisbury chooses BigHand digital dictation

BigHand has signed a deal with Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust to provide trust wide digital dictation for more than 300 users across all specialties. The initial deployment involved the roll-out of the system to authors and secretaries in orthopaedics and general medicine.

RCN uses COA systems for finances

The Royal College of Nursing is implementing a financial management system from COA Solutions to provide information to budget holders and instant access to tailored reports. The system, which has integrated workflow and document imaging functionality, will support the RCN in establishing and running a separate charitable foundation.

Fifteen trusts adopt HL-Hybris e-catalogue

Healthlogistics, Hybris and Tier 2 Consulting have announced that 15 trusts will be live with their HL-hybris e-catalogues and contract data systems by the end of September. Bedford Hospital, Derby Hospital, Guy’s and St Thomas, Heatherwood and Wrexham Park and St George’s Healthcare are the latest to select the catalogues which provide classified and validated contract and net price data from NHS suppliers into each trusts purchasing system in the format that it requires.

Clinical software streamlines clinical trials safety reviews

Business analytics software provider SAS has partnered with JMP Clinical to help shorten the drug development process by streamlining safety reviews during clinical trials. The JMP software links advanced statistics and graphics, to allow users to explore safety data from a variety of angles and easily share their findings with others. It enables deep analysis of adverse events, labs, incidence indicators and patient profiles by combining SAS Analytics with the interactive data visualisation capabilities of JMP.

Tunstall Healthcare updates training tool

Tunstall Healthcare has updated its Telehealthcare Training Tool (TTT). TTT is a web based learning resource that uses real-life scenarios to educate health and social care professionals on what to consider when assessing and monitoring the use of assistive technology. It has been updated to reflect the wider role that telehealthcare now plays in the delivery of care.

ISoft receives Business Analytics award

ISoft has received the Frost and Sullivan 2010 European Business Analytics Systems Competitive Strategy Leadership Award for its HiNT business analytics tool. The tool consolidates data from various applications within an organisation and allows users to view and explore information, trends and performance indicators. Eamonn Morris, managing director of iSoft business solutions, said: “Since taking the solution to market in late 2009, we have seen a huge interest from clients, prospects and partners in all territories across the globe.”

Carestream Health receives product innovation award

Frost and Sullivan has given Carestream Health its 2010 Europe New Product Innovation Award for its Carestream DRX-1 System. “This recognition acknowledges our continuing advances in digital imaging technology,” said Tony Graule, sales and business development manager Europe, digital capture solutions, Carestream Health. “DRX-1 is designed to solve the workflow and productivity challenges faced by healthcare providers every day. As a result the conversion to digital is easier, faster and more cost effective, which ultimately improves patient care.”

Ex-Kable MD joins E-Health Media board

The former managing director of Kable, a leading provider of market intelligence, has joined the board of E-Health Media, publishers of E-Health Insider. Mark Hudson will serve as a non-executive director of EHM and as a consultant to EHI Intelligence, a new subscription-based research service under development and due for launch in autumn 2010. Hudson said: "I am very excited to be joining this dynamic and highly professional organisation, which is the clear leader in its chosen niche. It has great scope for growth, building on its strong reputation."