Queensland Health partners with Sunquest for Laboratory Information System

TUCSON, Ariz.Feb. 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Sunquest Information Systems, Inc., the leader in diagnostic informatics for laboratories, announced today it has won a 10-year tender valued at AUD $68.5 million to provision laboratory-related software solutions and services for the State of Queensland, Australia. The contemporary enterprise laboratory information system (LIS) and services will support improved care responsiveness, safety and healthcare outcomes for the millions of Queenslanders served by the state’s 124 hospitals, 70 primary health centers and clinics, 17 aged care facilities and 33 extreme remote multi-purpose health services. Queensland Health performs more than 20,000 tests per day in 36 public pathology, forensic and scientific laboratories.

“Together we’re creating better healthcare services for Queenslanders in all areas of the state,” said Keith Sturges, senior vice president of Sunquest International, Australia and New Zealand. “Over the next 10 years, we’ll be working together to create world-class laboratories that deliver accurate, timely medical test results to give every patient the best chance at good health.”

“Our partnership with Sunquest will deliver more efficient diagnostic services and improve patient care and safety for Queenslanders,” said Stuart Rodney, Chief Operating Officer at Health Support Queensland. “A contemporary laboratory information system will mean faster results and improved access to patient information, so healthcare professionals can spend more time with patients. This will ensure consistent, reliable and accurate laboratory services throughout the state that enable Queensland Health’s advancement of safe, clinically effective and high-quality health services.”

The contract includes Sunquest’s full end-to-end enterprise laboratory information system for all pathology disciplines including chemistry, hematology, microbiology, histopathology, cytology, blood transfusion and molecular.

Sunquest will establish an office in Brisbane, capital of the state of Queensland. It is anticipated that more than 20 jobs will be created there.

Sunquest demonstrates support for patient safety and communication with existing systems

After being named Vendor of Choice from a field of seven vendors, ahead of the main contract Sunquest was required to create a working prototype to demonstrate key processes and achieve sign-off from a variety of stakeholders.

The prototype, delivered in a prompt six weeks, successfully demonstrated interoperability with Queensland Health’s existing systems showing Sunquest can meet Queensland’s needs.  The prototype was approved by all stakeholders, including clinical, laboratory, forensic, financial and IT leadership at Queensland Health.