VisCIMS

Overview

VisCIMS lets you track supply carts (par carts) several different ways

VisCIMS is a system consisting of software and special barcode handling hardware. The software runs on PC computers on your existing Ethernet network, and the CIMSStation terminals (if used) also connect to the same LAN. The handheld barcode scanners and/or barcode label printers (if used) connect to a PC running VisCIMS. There are many different ways to configure the system, so please contact us to discuss what your facility might require, and to see a no-obligation demo.

Modes of Operation

VisCIMS is flexible enough to be configured to the way your hospital wants to work. Whether you place emphasis on accuracy of patient charges or on inventory reduction or both, we can accomodate your needs. To that end, VisCIMS can be used in a variety of different ways, or in combinations of these ways:

What does the system do?

Collects patient charges - The system collects patient charge information through the use of fixed or portable terminals. Patient ID barcodes and item barcodes are scanned into the terminals and transmitted to the VisCIMS PC.
Performs cart cycle counting - Cycle counts may be performed by either portable or fixed terminals and are transmitted to the VisCIMS PC where they are used to update cart inventory and request replenishments.
Adjusts cart inventory - On-hand quantities of items on carts is reduced based on item usage. This is accomplished through item scans or inventory cycle counts.
Replenishes carts - Reports and pick lists are generated to replenish carts based on PAR levels and current on-hand quantities.
Updates Material Management Systems and Patient Billing Systems
Provides a rich variety of pre-loaded and custom reports to make your inventory management job easier

How does Point-of-Use work?

Simple Two-Step Process
VisCIMS uses a simple two-step process, as illustrated by this diagram:

Scan the patient ID
Scan either the barcode on the package itself or the barcode shelf tag, created by HealthLine's CIMSGen barcode printing software

It's that simple and takes all of about 2 or 3 seconds, compared with an average of 49 seconds for a "closed" cabinet system. The inventory count is automatically reduced and the patient is accurately charged for all of the items used. If inventory of a particular item has dropped below its "stat" level, a replenishment is immediately triggered for that item. Other items are replenished on a scheduled basis through the use of pick lists for stock items and requisitions for non-stock items.

What external systems can be interfaced?

Flexible Interfaces
With the easy-to-use VisCIMS interface file designer, interfacing to hospital systems is simple and quick. You can easily set up the file layouts and the time schedule for imports and exports.

Imports

Item Master
Cart Items
Receiving
Vendors
Patients
Employees

Exports

Patient Charges
Issues from warehouses
Usage from carts
Stock requisitions
Non-stock requisitions

What systems have we interfaced?
Here are just a few of the systems that can communicate with VisCIMS:

GEAC
SMS
Infinium
Lawson
PeopleSoft
Perot Systems IMMS
Phamis
Meditech

EDI Integration
VisCIMS can exchange EDI 850 Purchase Orders and 856 Advance Ship Notices using OnCall*EDI or directly with Lawson. Other formats and interfaces are available upon request. VisCIMS' unique balance forward function closely monitors backorders until they are received, eliminating any inventory errors or shortages.

Terminals

VisCIMS Collection Station
The CIMSStation is unique in the industry. Each one is programmed to capture and upload

Patient Charges
Inventory Usage

The terminals also handle contaminated items, temporary patient IDs, and can match manufacturer bar codes to hospital stock numbers.

Handheld terminals
The portable handheld terminals are used primarily to take inventory on multiple carts. But they can also be used to enter patient charges and roam around unfettered. After collecting a batch of data, the handheld is plugged into a VisCIMS PC on the network and the data is uploaded and processed.

VisCIMS TouchStation^TM
The newest addition to our line of data collection devices is the TouchStation. With this 15 or 17 inch monitor attached to a small PC, you do not need patient barcodes. Instead, you touch the screen to select a nursing unit and touch rooms on a floorplan to find the patient. Then Item barcodes can be scanned with a small, tethered scanner. Here's how it works:

Touch the Nursing Unit and Room from an actual Floorplan,
Touch the Patient,
then you Scan the Item Barcode(s) or Touch one of the high volume Item buttons,
Touch the Quantity and Transaction Type, and you're DONE!

The TouchStation also supports inventory counting and other functions. You can mix TouchStations and other collection stations in the same system, depending on your specific requirements.

VisCIMS Mobile WiFi
This little device is the size of a PDA with a keypad. It can do everything the other devices can, and it does them wirelessly in real time, using a built-in barcode scanner and WiFi. Its primary purpose is mobile, point-of-use, real-time data capture on the nursing floor, in perioperative, or in the cath lab. It can record procedures, physicians/surgeons, employee IDs, procedures, cases, preference cards, and the locations where items are being taken from, so you can keep track of what is being used where, by whom, and for what purpose. (Photo) Chart and graph item usage, standardization, par levels, charge capture, compliance, and many other things using our powerful reporting tools. (See this upcoming product at our booth at the AHRMM show!)

Customer Support

Unmatched Service and Support
HealthLine Solutions offers service and support 24 x 7 by web site, e-mail, and 800 number. A Customers-only area on our web site provides many online support features, including

Support case submission
Knowledgebase search
Bug reporting
Suggestion box
Documentation sets in HTML and PDF format
Release Notes for all versions
Download patches and new releases

Inventory Management Made Simple

With HealthLine Solutions products, simply set them up, flip them on, and begin managing inventory affordably and accurately anywhere within your hospital!

Visual Cart Inventory Management System