YPSILANTI, MI – October 2007 – Diagnostic Laboratory Services (DLS), a leading international medical testing laboratory, has purchased and is undergoing a phased implementation of Freedom Imaging Systems’ Enterprise software solution, providing DLS the opportunity to deploy Freedom Imaging Systems’ software in each department and every PC throughout their multiple Hawaii and Guam locations.
Freedom Imaging Services’ Enterprise solution is a comprehensive software and support suite comprised of Freedom Imaging Services’ products such as:
- “FreeScan” software for capturing documents via scanner
- “FreeImport” software for importing any non-scanned file types into the archiving system, such as PDF/Word documents, printer/fax captures
- “FreeView” software allows viewing, retrieval and redacting of document(s) from archives (virtual file cabinets) from any desktop
- “FreeWorkflow” (FreeWf) the business processing management software, automates paperless document workflow
- “FreeReport” software produces productivity and statistical reports
- Enterprise Report Management/Computer Output to Laser Disc (ERM/COLD) software for archiving laboratory information systems’ (LIS’) reports and data.
In addition to the standard software suite, numerous RICAR (Record Image Capture and Retrieval) software enhancements are incorporated to provide DLS with a feature-rich software solution that allows DLS to manage, archive and prepare for quick and simple disaster recovery for nearly every paper and electronic file within the organization.
DLS first installed Freedom Imaging Systems’ FreeScan and FreeView solutions in May 2002 within their Laboratory Billing department, scanning, archiving, retrieving and redacting laboratory requisitions and Explanations of Benefits (EOB). In November 2005, DLS deployed the imaging solution to archive requisitions at their laboratory in Guam; allowing DLS’ Honolulu, HI employees view and retrieval access to Guam’s requisitions in a matter of minutes instead of days.
Today, DLS turns to Freedom Imaging Systems’ Enterprise solution to increase operational efficiencies by expanding the imaging solution into Human Resources, Purchasing, Quality, Safety & Risk Management (QSR), Microbiology, Sales & Marketing, Field Operations and Client Services departments, as well as Remote Managed Labs at Queen’s Medical Center. Departments throughout DLS plan to utilize some component of Freedom Imaging Systems’ software suite, making DLS one of the few laboratories in the country to go ‘paperless’ throughout the organization. The imaging solution’s virtual filing cabinets for each department allows DLS to scan all forms and documents within the organization – eliminating the need for a paper-based system. Virtual file cabinets have absolute security features, down to the individual document level. For example, department managers can review employee instrument compentency exams within the “Employee” virtual file cabinet, but not have access to other “Employee” files such as tax documents and healthcare related documents. Documents that were once housed separately throughout the organization can now be consolidated into virtual file cabinets, thus, eliminating retrieval challenges, enhancing security and providing assurance that all documents are readily available for disaster recovery while providing the additional benefits of eliminating space concerns often associated with document storage, labor cost related with filing and retrieval, and office supply cost of folders, paper, toner and storage cabinets.
Freedom Imaging Systems’ business process management application, FreeWorkflow, was the allure for DLS purchasing an Enterprise solution, permitting DLS to implement a paper-less billing workflow for their extensive volume of laboratory requisitions. The robust workflow solution handles highly complex and sophisticated business processes, within user defined rules, as well as production and management of electronic records and paper volumes. FreeWorkflow reduces potential billing-related bottlenecks, redundancies, and inefficiencies. DLS can now significantly reduce Days in Sales Outstanding, previously contributed to challenges with international requisitions.
FreeWorkflow also allows DLS to manage employees more effectively. The automated workflow application chronicles users’ names, access date & time, and user activity. DLS management has the ability to trend user-activity in efforts to increase and monitor individual/department productivity and identify opportunities for training and process improvements. Remote access to FreeWorkflow allows employees to process documents from outside of the organization’s work environment via secure remote access, while expanding the geographical workforce opportunities available to the employer.
In the future, DLS plans to implement an electronic records management (ERM), or Computer Output to Laser Disc (COLD), system into its organization in order to archive laboratory results and other ASCII data. ERM, also known as COLD, is a powerful report storage and retrieval system that compresses, indexes, and stores computer generated data and reports. In this networked environment, ERM gives multiple users immediate access to reports, manuals or large documents simultaneously. The solution integrates hardware and software in order to maximize the space available on media storage such as CD or DVD, thereby eliminating media waste and cost. Freedom Imaging Systems’ ERM solution integrates seamlessly with the document imaging solution, allowing documents to be retrieved, viewed, printed, faxed, emailed and distributed across the organization.
DLS plans to compliment the ERM solution with the deployment of Freedom Imaging Systems’ fax server software, FaxCapture. FaxCapture allows the laboratory to replace paper faxes with electronic images. Thousands of patient-related paper faxes received daily from physician’s offices will be captured, sorted and filed as electronic documents, thus saving the time spent filing and retrieving, storage space, and the reams of paper and toner associated with traditional paper faxes. FaxCapture allows large, multi-page faxes to be separated into individual patient reports or faxes electronically. The images can be moved into the FreeWorkflow solution to receive further indexing and routing. Combining FaxCapture and FreeWorkflow, DLS will provide immediate access to incoming and outgoing faxes, phonebooks, transaction logs, and other fax-related data, right from the employee PCs.
The implementation of Freedom Imaging Systems’ Enterprise solution provides an opportunity for DLS to completely eliminate the need for a paper-based system. FreeScan, FreeView, FaxCapture and ERM/COLD allow for immediate capture, access and retrieval of information within DLS workstations, while FreeWorkflow allows the organization to centralize communication and work assignments across its various location and departments in an efficient and highly secure manner. In both the short- and long-term, DLS will benefit from the established advantages of implementing the Enterprise solution, such as eliminating shipping costs associated with sending paper documents to and from international locations, greatly reducing delays that yield increased Days in Sales Outstanding, empowering employee’s with the tools to increase their productivity and efficiency, reducing storage and supply costs associated with paper documents while expanding the geographical workforce opportunities within DSL’s geographically limited area.
About Diagnostic Laboratory Services
Diagnostic Laboratory Services, Inc. (www.dlslab.com) is a medical testing laboratory that offers a comprehensive range of routine and esoteric testing services and the most sophisticated forensic toxicology and substance abuse testing services in the State of Hawaii. With labs and locations in Guam and Saipan, as well as throughout Hawaii, DLS employs state-of-the-art instrumentation systems that allow hundreds of tests per day to be performed with unmatched precision and efficiency. In addition, its information systems provide rapid test results to physicians via the Internet; historical reporting of results to physicians; and summaries of abnormal test results and utilization reports to physicians. Its commitment to service excellence begins with a well-trained, well-educated staff that understands the needs of the medical community.
About Freedom Imaging Systems
Freedom Imaging Systems, established in 1991, is a leading provider of rapidly deployable Enterprise content management solutions. Freedom develops RICAR, an Enterprise-class solution that combines integrated document management, business process workflow and electronic records management in a single application. RICAR allows organizations to manage digital content, including scanned paper documents, faxes, print streams, application files, electronic forms, web content, multi-media files, and e-mails. RICAR is used by Fortune 1000 companies to automate business processes, reduce the time and cost of performing important business functions, improve organizational efficiency and address the need for regulatory compliance through the management, control and sharing of digital content with employees, business partners and customers. Visit www.freeimage.com for more information.
For additional information, please contact:
Freedom Imaging Systems
Phone: 734-327-5600
Email: information@freeimage.com
www.freeimage.com |
