As the world is rapidly becoming more mobile, lifestyle has changed and a need for mobility has seeped into many sectors – the life of home health care workers is one of these many worlds. For MedShare, it is about living life without wires and mobilizing a busy workforce to make life for workers and patients alike easier.

Keeping people connected on the Blackberry is one of two major tools that provide instant access to electronic client records at the point of care.

“MedShare was one of the first BlackBerry health care applications to market. With 4 years we have a highly reliable, secure and feature rich application specifically suited to home health care workers,” commented Barry Billings, President, MedShare. In addition to the Blackberry application, they have developed a Windows application optimized for tablet computers. The smartphone software has been optimized for personal support workers and the tablet form factor is highly suited to nursing and allied health care workers.

“Our company has focused on mobile Health IT solutions that support informed decision making and achieving better health outcomes for the clients,” commented Mr. Billings. Electronic medical record support including images, sound clips, video clips and more can be viewed on both devices. The result is a secure and reliable replacement for paper forms making sharing and accessing that much easier. This award winning provider of mobile EMR and Agency management solutions to the North American home health care sector is heavily influencing the health informatics sector.

When asked why here? Why Waterloo Region, the response was simple. “We chose to locate in Waterloo Region because of the lifestyle; green space, hiking, biking, golf and the many unique and special locations. We choose Cambridge because it is central to Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge and Guelph, making it easier for staff to get to” emphasized Mr. Billings. In addition, he commented on the rich talent pool to choose from right in their own back yard.

When talking about the journey to becoming a significant world-class company, Mr. Billings noted the organization's recognition that to stay cutting edge they must be innovative and entrepreneurial -  and Waterloo is just that. “ We have a rich heritage of entrepreneurs in the Waterloo area that have achieved significant success. A lot of those entrepreneurs are putting back into the community.”

MedShare is transforming the delivery of home health care, and Mr. Billings was clear in saying that they “saw a great opportunity in health care transformation with the recent emergence of smart mobile devices like the BlackBerry and pervasive wireless data networks.” MedShare is merging people, process and technology into new service delivery models that are more effective and efficient.

In July 2010, Acclaim Health in Oakville, Ontario selected MedShare’s clinical management software for their visiting nurses. Acclaim Health is non-profit, full-service nursing agency delivering home and community care services in Halton County. Acclaim will be equipping their visiting nurses with MedShare’s electronic clinical documentation solution which provides access to client health information, electronic charting, care plans and progress notes while in the client’s home.

According to Angela Brewer, Acclaim’s CEO “MedShare eMotion was selected for ease of use, rich functionality and tablet computer support. Throughout the numerous presentations to senior management, nurse leaders and operational staff, MedShare staff proved to be knowledgeable, honest and responsive”.

MedShare eMotion allows mobile nurses to access health information, hospital referrals, physician orders, clinical decision supports, care plans, and care documentation tools while in the client’s home. The electronic health record provides all team members with access to the client record from any location. Acclaim’s clinical leaders will use the system to monitor outcomes and drive performance improvements both at clinician and organizational levels.

“Our story is really around mobile health care. Supporting decision making, and getting better outcomes for the clients.” - Barry Billings, Presdient

Why Waterloo Region?
“Talent in our business is a strategic advantage. We have four universities and colleges to draw from, including two institutions that are offering specilaized programs in Health Informatics.” - Barry Billings, President

• Interview Barry Billings | 2010
• www.medshare.com