Susan Williams

Managing Director, Bluespier International Limited

Q: Bluespier seems to be establishing itself as the gold standard in Orthopaedic systems. How have you achieved this?

A: We have done this by working closely with clinicians and other users to clearly understand their requirements so all development on the system is done, very much with the user in mind. In addition, we are always looking for ways of improving processes of the way our users work so that they can use Bluespier to help them work “smarter” and leave them more time to do what they are trained to do and good at doing i.e. dealing with patients. We also always try to look at ways the system can be used to provide additional benefit. For example, in addition to extracting NJR data, we can now automatically collect Surgical Site Infection data and are currently adding in 18 week monitoring functionality.

Q: Is Bluespier just focussing on orthopaedic systems?

A: Not at all, we are a multi-specialty clinical system and have also developed a Theatre system, Emergency Unit system and a Maternity system. Our origins are in orthopaedics and we clearly are very strong in this area but are now able to offer hospitals these other systems that are specialist systems in their own rights.

Q: Have you got many new customers over the last year?

A: We have been extremely busy over the last 12 months with a number of orders from hospitals as well as customers going live with Bluespier. The new business we have gained has been across all our systems. We have gone live at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust which is a Trust wide, multiple specialty installation. This is after almost a year in planning and preparation. We have also installed and gone live at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals Trust (Orthopaedic department system) as well as Frenchay with a Trauma Unit specific system. We also have orders from the John Radcliffe for our Trauma system and the Royal Berkshire Hospital for our Theatre system. The Worcestershire Acute Trust has bought our Maternity system.
In our international markets, we are currently piloting our Emergency Unit system with a leading Trauma unit in a private hospital group in South Africa. It is intended that this system will be rolled out to the 42 hospitals in their group to manage all their emergency and trauma patients.

Q: How are you coping with all this new business?

A: Coping with growth is always a challenge for any business. We endeavour to give all our customers a personal service so that they deal with people they know, with familiar voices on the end of the phone. We are obviously very excited about these new contracts and are looking forward to building up strong relationships with these customers. In anticipation of this growth, we have had a slow and steady increase in our staff numbers and have been building up the skills and experience of these staff so they can in turn form strong relationships with our customers. We will continue to bring in high calibre, personable and energetic people who can join our team and contribute to delivering the high level of service we are always striving to achieve and exceed. In fact we are looking for a doctor to join our team if anyone reading this is interested!

Q: What new developments have you made over the last 12 months?

A: Specific to orthopaedics, we have introduced a Trauma board function. This is intended to replicate the normal “white board” that most hospitals use to record their trauma though of course we have made it far more flexible. It gives users the ability to keep track of the patient and not lose them through the process, taking onto account when you may need to cancel or reschedule as information and circumstances change. Also, because the trauma board is no longer on public display on a white board, it ensures only those people who need access to it are able to see it so confidentiality and security of information is improved. At the same time its accessible from any computer in the hospital to those who need to see it.
Another big development we have had in the last few months is the upgrade to our new version 6. This has much more of a Windows XP type look and feel and is more flexible in terms of giving users quick access to the assessments and documents they need. We have added increased customisation for operation notes so that each surgeon can tailor them to look exactly how they want. The new version also has added clinical content, new functional features such as e-consent as well as added security. The new functions and features makes the system even more complete as a patient record as well as even more usable and robust which in turn makes it more appealing for hospital use.

Q: You are always pushing the boundaries of clinical systems, so what is on the horizon in terms of new developments?

A: We are continuing to pull in more aspects of clinical data into the system so that it really will be a one stop shop for clinicians when managing their patients. We are currently developing Order Comms and Results Reporting functionality as well as E-prescribing amongst a few other things. In addition, whilst it has always been possible to link digital images to the patient record within Bluespier we are now developing direct links into PACS systems to make this process a lot simpler.

Q: Where to next for Bluespier?

A: We will continue to develop and improve our Bluespier systems for both hospital and private users. Our objective is to be the leading clinical information system in the world. We want people to like our product and like our company. We want them to see us as nice people to work with who offer good value for money and an outstanding product and service.