Users of iPLATO Text Messaging Impressed by New System Release

Mobile healthcare provider iPLATO this week launched a new version of their market leading text messaging platform for communication between GPs and Patients.

[ClickPress, Mon May 14 2007] Mobile healthcare provider iPLATO this week launched a new version of their market leading text messaging platform for communication between GPs and Patients. Patient Care Messaging version 3 is the culmination of research and development efforts to enhance the existing text messaging platform to meet the changing needs of QOF focused GP Surgeries. The new system adds a number of unique features identified and developed in partnership with iPLATO’s rapidly expanding NHS user base. The biggest breakthrough featured in version 3 is the automatic update of the patient medical record, which is updated whenever an interaction by text message occurs. This feature is the first of its kind and uses recently launched national read codes developed specifically for text messaging.

In addition to the crucial write-back feature, users of the new system benefit from a wide array of functional upgrades such as: customisable message reporting, improved export and print functionality, as well a redesigned graphical user interface. All existing sites using the previous version of iPLATO PCM were entitled to receive the upgrade to version 3 at no additional cost. Due to its web-based architecture no download or re-installation was necessary for iPLATO customers to access version 3.

“I was really impressed by the new look and feel of the iPLATO system”, notes Stuart Hall, Practice IT Manager from the Vale Medical Centre in Forest Hill, South London. “It’s much easier to navigate through and is very intuitive. With the new ‘write-back’ feature the process of contacting patients is massively streamlined. We can now reach groups of patients by text message, receive their replies and have it read-coded and logged into the patient record almost instantaneously. In the past this process would have taken us hours, now its take just minutes.”

“GP surgeries across 19 PCTs already use iPLATO Patient Care Messaging” says Tobias Alpsten Managing Director of iPLATO. “It was vital for us to listen to our practice users’ requests for new features and enhancements. Beyond a market leading platform that responds to the day-to-day needs of our users I am really proud of our ability to test and launch this service to a large number of users in a seamless switch-over. I’d like to thank the technical team at iPLATO, our advanced users and the wider user community for this success.
Through the platform we can add new mobile interaction capabilities to GP surgeries and other healthcare providers. In 2007, it will be essential for the NHS to awake, on a broad scale, to patients’ clear preference to use their mobile phone to interact with their healthcare provider. ”

Adrian James Practice IT manager at the Prentice Road Surgery who is an advanced user said, “As a user since the very beginning, I can see the effort that iPLATO puts into consistently improving patient care through technology. The enhanced functionality of version 3 allows us to now interact with our patients in an unprecedented way.”

The iPLATO Patient Care Messaging is only system to be available across all major GP systems.

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About iPLATO
iPLATO is a privately owned limited company founded in London. Over the last four years the company has invested substantial resources towards overcoming the barriers to entry of the United Kingdom healthcare market and building a mobile healthcare business. In 2003, iPLATO was awarded a SMART Feasibility Grant by the Department of Trade & Industry to study the feasibility of a national implementation of a system to remind outpatients about scheduled appointments using text messaging technology. Since completing the study, the company has built a promising business around its flagship service - Patient Care Messaging. The European Venture Contest, organised by the European Commission, recently recognised iPLATO as one of the top ten early stage technology ventures ready to “reshape their industry and to conquer the global market”. The company featured on the Red Herring Europe Top 200 of companies to watch in 2006.