Cathy McCartan
Executive Director, Dedalus Healthcare Ireland
A leading healthcare expert highlights the need to break down digital barriers to help deliver better outcomes for patients.
A significant barrier to sharing healthcare data remains the different coding systems and terminologies used for patient records, says Cathy McCartan, Director of Dedalus Healthcare Ireland, a European healthcare software provider supporting clinical decision-making across Ireland. McCartan emphasises that standardising clinical terminology can enhance healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.
Terminology alignment
With Ireland set to introduce its Digital for Care 2030 plan, terminology alignment and standardised data models are going to play a “major role in its success,” says McCartan. McCartan’s company provides technology for scheduling, predicting health outcomes, managing electronic health records (EHR) and handling diagnostics and lab results, all while prioritising the patient at the core of the process.
We strive to be a software company
that keeps the interests of the patient
in mind with everything we do.
Healthcare ecosystem
An important aspect is Dedalus’ Clinical Terminology Services, which provides an effective way of implementing and accessing terminologies and classifications such as SNOMET CT, LOINC and ICD. Clinicians often use a range of terms to describe orthopaedic procedures such as hip replacements, for example, which can be problematic when searching for information on similar topics.
“This solution enables different terminologies and coding systems to be aligned so that all the information can be used in a way that enables the healthcare system to operate as an ecosystem,” explains McCartan.
Predictive clinical models
The company has developed its own AI and machine learning solutions to enhance healthcare outcomes, including 19 predictive clinical models used in 388 departments across European hospitals for conditions such as delirium, sepsis, pneumonia and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Models also manage the flow of patients via natural language tools, support wound management and prioritise night shift tasks. All advancements are trained using European healthcare data and in line with the European AI Act.
Patient focus
Dedalus also supports the National PAS Programme and works with hospitals lacking digital tools, such as providing ordering solutions for lab and radiology test results. “We support healthcare organisations across the continuum of care with applications that follow patients across every stage,” McCartan concludes. “We strive to be a software company that keeps the interests of the patient in mind with everything we do.”
