Frere leads way with info tech

Frere Hospital’s information and communications technology (ICT) systems are breaking new ground for the province – and it is not costing the institution a cent.

Information technology manager Anton Strydom has been in the public sector for nearly a decade and is well-versed in both infrastructure and software – a rare combination in one ICT specialist, and he would not use his skills anywhere else.

Strydom, together with his team have developed systems for the hospital that have revolutionalised the management of patients by clinicians and has reduced the carbon footprint of the facility.

He said they had opted for open source technology, which are solutions they can implement within government without having to pay a commercial license for them.

Strydom said they worked closely with clinicians to develop systems that suited their needs.

These systems, which are all webbased, include:

● Picture archiving and communications systems known as PACS, which has reduced film for x-ray purposes and saved the hospital millions of rands. X-rays are electronic and at the doctor’s fingertips within seconds;