In Part 2 and Part 3, I listed the questions I would be asking the vendors of drug diversion detection software (BlueSight (Kit Check), Flowlytics (Invistics), HealthSight (BD), HelioMetrics, Omnicell Analytics, and Protenus) and their clients. This blog will focus specifically on my conversation with HelioMetrics and one of their clients.
HelioMetrics is the oldest of the above solutions on the market. However, as the title of this series indicates “oldest” is not old. HelioMetrics’ solutions has been on the market for about 3 years. Currently, their solution can integrate with all major Automated Dispensing Machines (ADMs) and Electronic Health Records (EHRs). HelioMetrics has the ability to integrate with infusion pumps to pull data and monitor drug movement all the way from the manufacturer to the reverse distributor. From what I have learned so far, they are the only one who currently goes all the way through the reverse distributor. The software incorporates statistical analysis and behavioral patterns. Also, it alerts the administrator to users that present a concern. Controlled substances as well as non-controlled substances can be monitored, and the solution can be used in all settings, including the inpatient nursing units, procedural and operating areas, and outpatient sites.
What I heard from the vendor seemed to match the client’s perspective for the most part. The client feedback came from an Epic/Pyxis facility which has three inpatient sites (75, 100, & 225 beds) and an outpatient site. They were one of the early adopters and have been with HelioMetrics for about 3 years. The software has a good response time, it’s user friendly, and it has identified roughly one diversion case each month during the first 2.5 years. They use the software for the entire medication pathway from manufacturer to reverse distributor but are just now launching it in the operating room. The reason for the delay in the OR suite is because until now they have not been able to pull in the intra-op flowsheet feed. Apparently a new HelioMetrics customer helped provide the answer to that problem, so work has begun to get the OR up and running.
Word on the street is that HelioMetrics in the most expensive solution of those mentioned above. That has not been confirmed but is something to keep in mind in terms of affordability.
