IT Team
Tel ext: 4269
Email: help@cmmc.nhs.uk
In this page : Introduction, Equipment, Cardex, Staff Training
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Service
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Response
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Software
installation, Cardex, Office
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Within
30 mins.
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Software/Internet
Development
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Several
projects are under development, therefore there is some lead time
before new projects can be undertaken.Web page updates & new
pages can be added within an hour.
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Hardware
Installation
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Within
1 hour
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General
Computer Support
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Telephone
support - instant or
site visit within 10 mins |
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Orders
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Delivery
- 2/3 weeks from placing order
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PC
Configuration
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1
hour approx
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Introduction
The Manchester Heart Centre has its own IT service, separate from the main Trust IT department. Within the last year the IT department has expanded from just one person to four people on a full time basis. This has been done to fully develop the existing projects and improve the IT support service to the whole department.
Equipment
The Heart Centre uses the main Trust network infrastructure, which is an Ethernet based network. Four main servers run the Heart Centre workgroup. The main server is a Compaq 26U Raid server running Windows NT server, which contains the staff accounts and resources for managing the MHC network. Our second server is a Linux box on which we have our main patient information database - running on DB2. Our third is a Apple box acting as our mail server. Lastly we have a Apple Cube running OS running the intranet. The network infrastructure is ungoing upgrades to cope with furture Heart Centre developments including up-rating the network to Gigabit speed.
The users are equipped with a variety of different machines, many of which have been recently upgraded. There is a mixture of Apple and PC desktop and laptop computers in use by the unit.
Wireless - For nearly 2 years we have been deploying Apple Airport base station devices around the department, allowing wireless networking. Using Apple iBooks and laptop PC's (fitted with wireless cards), the collection of data from the patient bedside for our main patient information system - CARDEX, will be made easier. In 2003 the Heart Centre will be investing in upgrades to the wireless infrastructure allowing secure and unbroken coverage across the whole Heart Centre site.
Cardex: Link - Cardex Manual
The 'Cardex' system is a Departmental Information Management System devised and developed entirely within the Manchester Heart Centre. The 'Cardex' team is lead by a clinician, Dr Adam Fitzpatrick, and includes software developers, nurses, management and administration personnel, and liaises with users to tailor the system to ever updating requirements.
Cardex was devised to meet the need for an integrated information management system within the integrated departments of cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery in the Heart Centre. Cardex is a modular system incorporating modules for the diary/scheduling, a core patient database which derives its data from the Hospital Information System, clinical specialty modules, reports generator, correspondence and stock control.
We are developing ways of networking the x-ray images required for clinical decision-making and more efficient patient care, along with wireless technology to collect information at the bedside. We are actively exploring ways of linking electronically with District General Hospital referral centres and with primary care groups.
The Cardex system has been developed using an Omnis Studio front end and a DB2 database. It has been developed as a multiplatform system running on both PC's and Apple machines (and shortly with access via PDA palmtop devices). The system can also be accessed through wireless devices and off-site via Modem & ISDN with secure connections.
Staff Training
With the expansion of the Heart Centre and the increasing use of computer
role is staff training. Having someone dedicated to this task improves
IT efficiency and encourages use of the facilities available. Our newest
addition to the team is Nikki MacDonald. Amongst her main duties is staff
training.
Training Offered (Heart Centre Staff Only)
Training should be arranged with the IT team and takes place usually at the users own desktop.
Manchester Heart Centre IT
E-Mail: help@cmmc.nhs.uk
Web Address: http://www.manchesterheartcentre.org
