ASD/MediTrac

12523 LISIANTHUS
SAN ANTONIO, TX 78253
tel: 210-401-1802

e-mail: info@gitrac.com

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GI-Trac™ & GI-Image™ - Frequently asked Questions

This FAQ is issued for the purpose of providing information in response to frequently asked questions regarding endoscopy database systems.

Q. Basically what is GI-Trac™ and GI-Image™?  A. Akron Systems Development is the developer and publisher of GI-Trac™ and GI-Image™, a state of the art, mission critical, open standards based, endoscopic data base system.  GI-Trac™ and GI-Image™ used together is a system to collect, track and retrieve patient information related to Gastroenterology (GI) procedures, endoscopic image management with the capability to network between several care facilities and interface with your hospital's information systems using open standards such as HL7, DICOM, TCP/IP, XML, JAVA, HTML T.120, and RS 170.

GI-Trac™ and GI-Image™ would function as a centralized endoscopy database system.  The functions would include: tracking of patients from port of entry, procedure, documentation from physician and nursing through the entire endoscopy process, picture retrieval, and pathology reporting.  GI-Trac™ can interface with your patient registration, patient scheduling and billing system using interfacing standards like HL7, DICOM, and coding standards like ICD-9, CPT, and SNOMED.  GI-Trac can track equipment utilization and maintenance.  GI-Trac™ may be accessed from any computer on the network, event those outside via standard TCP/IP connection or modem.

Q. Does GI-Trac™ provide a real-time, multitasking, reliable architecture that requires minimal maintenance and troubleshooting to provide continual availability for mission critical applications and services?  A. GI-Trac™ is a real-time multitasking reliable architecture that requires minimal maintenance and troubleshooting and is the only GI mission critical application that we know of available today.

Q. Are GI-Trac™ and GI-Image™ year 2000 compliant?  A.  Yes, our products are certified to be year 2000 compliant and will cause no errors due to the turning of the century or year 2000 leap year.

Q. Does the system utilize an SQL compliant database?  A. GI-Trac utilizes an advanced data modeler that allows it to use any SQL standard database from industry leaders like Microsoft, Sybase, Oracle, Informix etc...

Q. Is GI-Trac™ a system designed to facilitate industry standard interfaces with multiple HIS and transcription vendors?  A. GI-Trac™ is the premier and only system known to us that is truly an open system, and the only software known to us that currently ascribes to true DICOM with type 10 headers, HL7, CORBA, Java, JavaScript, standard terminology and Internet standards.

Q. Does the system have any limitations on the volume of patients it can handle?    A. No, GI-Trac™ is not limited in the number of patients per day it can handle.  Akron Systems Development will be happy to consult with you on the hardware you will need to ensure trouble free and unlimited growth potential.

Q. Does GI-Trac™ support multiple accesses real time to an individual patient record? A. Yes, GI-Trac™ is fully network ready which allows for multiple accesses  real-time to an individual record.

Q. Does GI-Trac™ and GI-Image™ track the patient from port of entry, allow for procedure documentation from the physician and nursing staff through the entire endoscopy process, picture retrieval, and pathology reporting?   A.  Yes, GI-Trac™ is a patient oriented database which tracks the patient's clinical details, past history, endoscopic procedures, performed, picture retrieval and pathology reporting.

Q. Is GI-Trac™ designed to allow move, adds, and changes of care providers and end user devices?  A. Yes, with minimal time and effort.

Q. Does GI-Trac allow the network infrastructure to be inter-operable with the network "standard" products, protocols, and carrier services installed at the existing locations?  A. Yes, GI-Trac™ is designed to work with your existing systems in place.  Upon evaluation by Akron Systems Development prior to installation, we will discuss with your information systems personnel the implementation of our software into your systems.

Q. Does GI-Trac™ limit the user to certain types of hardware?  A. No, Akron Systems Development provides the GI-Trac™ and GI-Image™ software and image capture cards required.  You may obtain from the best sources in your area the hardware and support for that hardware that is most convenient and practical for your purposes (even though we are able to quote to you a complete hardware configuration if desired).  We will gladly advise you as to which hardware specification and other system interfaces that would benefit you in your particular situation, taking into consideration what equipment you already have in place.

Q. What are your maintenance, system engineering and installation services?  A. Akron Systems Development offers a maintenance agreement, which will provide you with major upgrades, maintenance releases, private access to special areas of our web site, and guaranteed answers to questions within 24 hours.  Akron Systems Development also provides custom system engineering consulting and installation services.

Q. Does GI-Trac track scope equipment utilization and maintenance?  A.  Yes with one of the most complete equipment tracking modules.

Q.How is GI-Trac™ implemented?  A. GI-Trac™ is a scaleable system that can operate on any size platform from a single desktop PC to a huge client server based system.  GI-Trac™ has been designed to best perform its functions through a network and we would gladly advise you how to set up your network to facilitate the type of system that you want.  In the event of an installation of GI-Trac™ and GI-Image™ we would answer any questions from your network administrator to describe how this could be achieved.  There are no hardware requirements mandated by us (even though we are able to quote to you a complete hardware configuration if desired), however we will help your information systems staff to insure that you do indeed have the needed equipment.  If you do not we can advise you, but do not require any specific system or brand.  We will advise you for the most cost-effective technology that maximizes your Return on Investment (ROI) and minimizes your True Cost of Ownership (TCO).  We can provide you with custom engineering, consulting and installation expertise for custom interfacing with any nonstandard, proprietary medical systems that you may already have.

Q.How can we view the product?  A. Demonstrations and presentations can be scheduled at any time, by contacting our company or indicate on the message board in the "Contact" page of our web site.

Q. How and when is training provided?  A. At the time of installation, training will be provided to all personnel that you wish to attend.  Additional training can also be provided.  We would also suggest that you assign a contact person who would be responsible to train any subsequent users.  This person would be free to contact us and ask any questions that may arise. This person should be a permanent employee such as a head nurse or other personnel with computer knowledge.

Q. Are there any prerequisite skills needed to learn GI-Trac™?  A. No, there are no requirements for the level of technical knowledge and experience that the trained user will need, as GI-Trac™ is a very easy system to learn and use.  The training can take place at the customer's site and includes hands-on training.  Additional training can also be provided.  User training during installation is free of charge and is considered part of your initial maintenance contract.

Report function Questions

Q. Can the system transmit images and reports to other systems (ERM) for widespread access?  A. Yes, GI-Trac™ is the only system we know of that, using the ASGE's required guideline, supports the complete DICOM VL standard.

Q. Does the system provide on-line help messages?  A.  Yes.

Q. Is there an "expert" mode capability for use of the system?  A.  Yes

Q. Does the system include provision for physician documentation?  A.  Yes.

Q. What is the capacity plan for long term storage of patient endoscopy records? A. Unlimited.  GI-Trac™ can utilize a removable media storage; you are bound only by your own hardware requirements.

Q. Does the system secure patient reports prior to or following "signature"?  A. Yes, we adhere to all Kennedy-Kassebaum health care reform bill security, confidentiality, and portability software provisions (public law 104-191)

Q. Does the system allow for digital signature of patient record?  A.  Yes.

Q. Does the system support biometric device ID entry?  A.  Yes

Q. Is there a report writer function available for ad hoc queries against the database (i.e., access specific groups of patients for research purposes, etc.)?  A.  Yes.

Q. Will the system operate with a variety of scopes, particularly Pentax and Olympus?  A.  Yes.  GI-Trac and GI-Image, the leaders in open standards based systems, support all scopes from any manufacturer.