New electronic Plunket Health Record (ePHR) app roll-out a “transformative moment” for Plunket, underpinned by modern, mobile Microsoft technology
As Plunket celebrates the launch of its electronic Plunket Health Record (ePHR) application, it is not only setting forth on a journey towards a more productive, mobile workforce – it is stepping into a new era of providing a secure, responsive, cloud-based healthcare service that will benefit all New Zealand communities.
The new ePHR app – which will take the children’s support services provider from a paper-based system to a modern, mobile and customer-centric process – has been built utilising a wide array of Microsoft cloud technologies, including Dynamics CRM Online, Azure Active Directory, Exchange Online, Skype for Business, and Microsoft System Centre.
In addition to the development of the ePHR application as part of the larger technology programme, Plunket will deploy around 800 Windows tablets to clinical nurses across New Zealand.
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Plunket’s Chief Operating Officer, Andrea McLeod describes the decision to begin its technology journey to the cloud, and ultimately transform the way it does business with its customers: “Our paper based systems had become cumbersome, and we recognised there were a number of opportunities to improve our overall service such as data quality, reporting, compliance and auditing,” she says.
“You can imagine how difficult managing and auditing over 60,000 clinical records per annum is – being electronic means we will have real-time data to enable us to provide a more efficient and effective service to our customers – the children and families of New Zealander,” says McLeod.
“Our service is about protecting and improving the health of New Zealand children. We realised that our current system wouldn’t allow a quick response to negative population health trends, such as an outbreak of an infectious disease. With real time data, Plunket will be well positioned to monitor and respond to these events ensuring health messages can be targeted and families quickly contacted with information and advice.”
Microsoft and partner companies Marker Metro and Fusion5 (who acquired the original provider, Koorb) are celebrating with Plunket, proud that the technology they have developed for the transformative project is helping Plunket lead healthcare innovation in New Zealand. Plunket engaged Koorb Consulting (now Fusion5) to tailor Dynamics CRM to support the ePHR system, while Marker Metro’s team of local specialist Windows app developers were contracted to design and build the app.
Microsoft’s Public Sector Architect, Terry Chapman, who worked closely with Plunket and the partners on the project, says that the Microsoft cloud platform was chosen for the ePHR because of its ability to meet Plunket’s business needs without extensive and costly customisations.
“Leveraging the cloud for the core of ePHR has enabled Plunket to rapidly move from idea to prototype to a fully functional line of business system,” says Chapman.
“Plunket and Microsoft have a great partnership. More than just a new app for the frontline, ePHR represents a journey for Plunket from being a paper-based organisation to being a digital organisation. Not only will the move help keep Plunket relevant for the next generation of kiwi families, Microsoft sees Plunket taking advantage of the technology to spend more time with the communities that it serves.”
Chapman says Plunket is leading innovation within the healthcare sector by being among the first public healthcare services providers in New Zealand to move its business to the cloud.
With any technology change, user adoption amongst Plunket nurses was also a critical challenge. With the average Plunket nurse aged 50, many of Plunket’s nurses were new to using technology as a work tool so it was important that any application was highly intuitive.
To address this, Koorb (now Fusion5) and MarkerMetro created a clean and simple user experience for the ePHR app to encourage user adoption, but included the ability to add rich content like adding a photo of the child at particular stages.
Privacy and security were also considerations for Plunket moving its core business data to the cloud, and for CEO Jenny Prince especially, the technology case was compelling.
“Dollars did drive our decision; that is definitely part of the story. But privacy and security have always been a priority for us. The question was why should we store data when there is a credible, reliable option available which holds our customer data more securely than alternatives?” she says.
Supporting the CEO and Plunket’s Board were skilled senior managers, among them Chief Information Security Officer Chris Blunt, who navigated Plunket through the various security and privacy issues of establishing the ePHR.
“The key was to get people to understand what we were doing and why we wanted to use offshore cloud services – communicating that early and being transparent throughout was critical,” he says.
The Plunket team’s analysis found that Microsoft’s cloud platform would provide Plunket and its customers with benefits not found elsewhere, namely independent certification and adherence to international privacy standards.
“If there is one thing you want a provider to be it is to be as transparent as possible without undermining their IP. The great thing with Microsoft was that they put up few barriers to get this information so it was painless.” says Blunt.
Ultimately, Microsoft’s Public Sector Director, Jeff Healey says that the electronic Plunket Health Record should be seen as a blueprint example of effective collaboration and successful cooperation between the New Zealand IT and public sectors.
“There’s no doubt that the challenges of the mobile-first, cloud-first world are just as significant for New Zealand NGOs as they are for all businesses, be they small, medium or large enterprises,” says Healey.
“What Plunket has demonstrated through their leadership in this transformative project is that the capability for creating world-class, innovative cloud solutions exists right here and right now in New Zealand when we work together to reimagine what is possible.
“We are proud to have been a part of that journey, and look forward to continuing to work with Plunket to help their business continue to succeed. “
Microsoft services utilised in Plunket technology transformation:
| Product | What it does | Benefit to Plunket |
| Azure Active Directory | ePHR secure cloud identity platform | Enables Plunket to manage and secure ePHR and other cloud identities |
| Microsoft Dynamic CRM Online | Management of Plunket health records | Provides an enterprise cloud Customer Relationship Management platform |
| Windows 8.1 | Windows based tablets deployed to clinical nurses | Leverages the tablet mobility functions and enterprise security of Windows to enable the ePHR clinical application. |
| Windows Phone | Mobile appointments and scheduling | Enables clinical nurses to access email, appointments and scheduling on the move. |
| Exchange Online | Email and appointment scheduling | Provides an integrated email and calendaring solution for clinical nurses and general Plunket staff. |
| Skype for Business | Real-time collaboration across Plunket | Enables Plunket staff to collaborate in virtual teams across the country. |
| Microsoft System Centre and Windows Intune | ePHR and infrastructure monitoring and management | Hybrid on-premises and cloud management and monitoring of the ePHR application, phones, tablets, computers and supporting infrastructure services. |
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For more information, contact:
Brendan Boughen
Communications Manager, Microsoft NZ
Mobile: +64 27 839 6044
Email: [email protected]
About Microsoft
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