Ecomed Products

Ecomed is a family of Windows based Decision Support Systems for health care organizations and hospitals. The products are based on existing widely adopted management and production models – namely Clinical Service Line based management - today used in hospitals.

Ecomed family consists of four different products that together create a complete solution for the customers.

Ecomed Analyzer
A Decision Support System for hospitals supporting the Clinical Service Line based management model.

Ecomed IC
Cost management system for standard product (unit) costs.

Ecomed TC
Cost management system for cost centers.

Ecomed DW
Ecomed Data Warehouse is a full-featured and complete solution for transforming, loading, storing and delivering clinical process information and cost information.

Ecomed PP
Pricing, production planning and tendering system.

Overview

The initial product launch (v1.0) took place during the winter of 1993/1994. The second major release (v2.0) shipped on the beginning of 1995. The third major release (v3.0) was delivered to the customers during the year shift of 1997 and 1998. Version 4 is currently shipping and include also Year 2000 support.

Ecomed products were initially created in co-operation with Digital Equipment Corporation, now part of Compaq Computer Corporation. The initial research, prototyping and first pilot implementations were completed with the Finnish Hospital Association during 1990-1993.

This document includes some background information and theory that will help the reader to understand the design principles behind Ecomed.

Process Improvement Focused Management Models

Process improvement focused management models add to the hospital management a new paradigm where the organization concentrates on improving the way things are done. These management models are called Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), Total Quality Management (TQM), Activity Based Management (ABM) and Business Process Re-engineering (BPR). Better performance of the work processes is reflected in better outcome quality, better customer service, more satisfied patients, better work place for employees and almost always considerably lower costs. An effort should be directed to constantly improve the activities or processes - how they are designed and executed in every day life so that all redoing and unnecessary activities that do not benefit the patient are eliminated. This effort involves everyone from the upper general management to the employees in the wards, pharmacy or patient transportation.

An essential part of the management model is the empowerment of the employees to design and implement the change in the work processes. Development tools and work methods emphasize arguing with facts, teamwork, innovation and learning by doing. Ultimately all the employees are trained at using the tools and work methods which makes the above mentioned strategy possible.

Characteristics for all Ecomed products are:

Software is Windows based (Windows 95, 98 or NT), equipped with a Microsoft Office type of user interface which makes them very easy to learn and use
All products use mainstream Microsoft Windows based technologies, such as the SQL Server, ODBC database connections; Microsoft development tools were used to create the products.
All information may be collected using Excel or other Windows programs and copied to Ecomed data tables with a click of the mouse
All the report and data tables may be copied to other Windows tools for additional processing
Ecomed systems are integrated with each other sharing for example the reporting and presentation graphics tools; which enables Ecomed users to help each other which lowers significantly the training costs involved
Ecomed products are complete in features, there is no need to install additional software to get the tasks done

Ecomed Overview document (PDF 179kb)