Comrad: Reimagining Healthcare Experiences

eHealthNews.nz: Clinical Software

Monday, 18 October 2021

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FEATURE - Industry Innovation Article - Comrad

Comrad Medical Systems has been an integral part of the healthcare landscape in Australia and New Zealand for the last 35 years. They are the region's fastest-growing dedicated Radiology Information Solutions provider, known for next-generation information technology.

Following the recent appointment of new CEO, Mark Sabotti, and significant advancements in their proprietary technology, Comrad is poised to expand its market-leading digital solutions into the wider healthcare industry.

With a distinguished career with tech giants IBM and BT in Europe and the United States, and most recently at Telstra Health, Sabotti is excited about the new strategic direction he is implementing at Comrad and the opportunity that the organisation now has to contribute to healthcare as a whole.

“We are bringing some very innovative digital solutions to market that will really make a big difference to our clients’ business outcomes and clinical efficacy,” he said. "We have also identified opportunities to make a difference in other areas in the health space.”

Comrad has always set out to innovate and do things differently. In the 1980’s, they identified a need to enhance both the radiology patient and practitioner experience through better workflows so they developed Comrad Origin, a radiology information system (RIS). As technology advanced and continued to transform the industry and as practitioner and patient needs evolved, Comrad then launched the Aura RIS.

Sabotti now believes that the effective delivery of healthcare is not about how much you invest but in the delivery framework itself – he believes it’s about joining the dots in the disparate healthcare ecosystem.

For all the remarkable advances in treatment over the last decade, healthcare is still a fragmented and often inefficient industry. Technology that can connect and streamline the flow of information in the healthcare system benefits everyone, keeping the patient's individual providers informed and reducing potential errors. Systems that can integrate healthcare activities also reduce the likelihood that a patient's care will fall between the cracks.

Now, cloud technology is changing the healthcare system irrevocably. It’s no longer a question of ‘if' healthcare organisations should embrace cloud technology, but when. As technology evolves, understanding how and when to adopt it is crucial.

A cloud-based healthcare system reduces operational spending while allowing for better personalised care, more efficient workflows, and improved clinical collaboration. At the same time, patients receive quicker responses from healthcare providers and can access their healthcare data with improved tracking.

Comrad recognised patients' growing desire for user-friendly healthcare experiences and delivered the next-generation Aura – a mobile-friendly patient management system which enhances overall engagement. By harnessing the power of the cloud, Comrad has created a unique, integrated digital solution that is designed to bring together everyone in the healthcare ecosystem – referring doctors, medical practitioners and patients.

"When we advance technology to enhance workflows, we change the way people buy and use healthcare. By providing greater control over their personal healthcare journey, you empower your patients and streamline the day-to-day operations of your business. And this ultimately improves care.” Sabotti stated.

“Our mission is to make collaborative, patient-centric healthcare a reality and change the way information is managed, shared and used."

It’s this mission that has led to Comrad’s new purpose – reimagining our healthcare experiences through technology.

To reflect this new purpose, their new holistic direction and their ongoing culture of innovation, they have recently undertaken a complete rebrand with Sydney-based agency, Holy Cow! Creative.

Launched in September at RANZCR Annual Scientific Meeting 2021, their new visual identity, values and brand language not only reaffirms their status as market-leaders in radiology information systems, it also positions them at the forefront of digital information solutions in the wider healthcare space.

Their new logo is contemporary and friendly. It symbolises strength in unity, inclusivity, infinite innovation and information flow. The ‘Co.’ prefix also represents partnerships with their clients, their collaborators and with each other.

This communal focus also supports Comrad’s conviction that it is people that are the heart and soul of their business – they uphold diversity, equality and inclusion. As a values-led organisation, they also hold dear principles that include challenging the status quo, bravery and accountability.

Their commitment to collaboration also rings true as they partner with their clients to identify problems and develop solutions to improve workflows and develop efficiencies.

Comrad’s new Aura Care Connect suite of products released earlier this year will make a big difference in the provision of healthcare and connecting the dots in the healthcare ecosystem. This patient engagement platform empowers patients to take control of their personal care journey, tapping into one of the biggest consumer trends today.

Having experienced user-controlled technology platforms for food delivery and ride-hailing, 43% of patients now prefer to book appointments online*. Care Connect now allows patients to take control of their healthcare experience through a range of self-help touchpoints along the way. It also allows medical practices to deliver an inclusive, mobile-friendly digital patient journey from the initial referral to receipt of a clinical report.

Through customised workflows including online bookings, completion of pre-arrival requirements and digital consent forms, Aura Care Connect provides a seamless digital patient journey. The Aura Suite also includes other powerful cloud-ready apps which allow medical practices to extend their capabilities and integrate with other digital workflow systems.

As the healthcare industry is forever changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, organisations that adapt to change and adopt new technology will prosper by continuing to meet the needs of our diverse communities. By reimagining healthcare in order to address these changes, Comrad are change-makers in the healthcare industry.