Health Services Get IT Savvy
By Neelu Lekhi
Mumbai, Jul 25, 2007

A beta version of a Patient Health Record (PHR) management solution consisting of a static store of health records has been launched. This solution interconnects a network of hospitals, doctors, clinics, diagnostic laboratories, pharmacists, and chemists with the patients. Bangalore-based Yos Technologies - an emerging startup in the healthcare IT domain - has announced the Beta launch of YosCare, a fully standards compliant e-health gateway for PHR management.

The PHR electronically contains all the health related information of the patient, which can be accessed by the consumer as well as his chosen providers. It's provided by invitation to a small number of doctors, chemists, and patients - who are using the system to update and manage their health records. The current phase primarily addresses the patients. However, in the next phase, the solution will be opened up to providers.

The solution mitigates a number of issues that are faced by service providers and consumers - such as limited access to health records, incomplete medical information from multiple providers, lack of preventive care, and so on. For targeted marketing campaigns, providers can take advantage of IT to improve their business and revenue using techniques - such as data mining and trend analysis. Also, they have a channel for customer cross-referencing with other providers.

The YosCare server is remotely hosted (ASP model). A standard desktop system, which is running Windows or Linux with a standard browser, is required. The system needs to have broadband internet connectivity for information transfer to and from the YosCare server.

Consumers have to login to the YosCare site (www.yoscare.in) with their user name and password. After due validation, they can enter the site and update or view their PHR, enter details of medical consultations, get reports, access other online applications, etc.

Providers can access YosCare via the YosCare gateway interface, which interconnects the patient PHR with the existing provider systems (hospital management system, lab management system, etc.). The relevant health information of the patient is sent to or retrieved from the PHR via the interface.

Currently, YosCare can be accessed via mobile, Short Messaging Service (SMS), or the phone. "A number of other mobile applications are being planned for the next version," said Vijaya Verma, founder and CEO of Yos Technologies. Through the use of SMS, the user can retrieve information from the PHR, update the PHR with specific information, etc.

Yos Technologies has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a leading hospital in Bangalore and a leading pharmacy chain. It will be making the beta version of the product available for its customers, as well as a select cross-section of the public during the next 3 months.

The pricing is subscription-based. The provider will be charged an annual fee based on the number of subscribers using YosCare services.

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