In a technology acquisition on July 23, 2014, GlobalVetLINK (GVL®) gained an established software solution called Health Information Management System (HIMS) from Carthage Veterinary Service, Ltd (CVS). Together, Carthage Veterinary Service and GlobalVetLINK aim to deliver the HIMS solution to all animal health stakeholders, addressing the ongoing challenges for more reliable diagnostic data analytics. Cliff Smith, CEO of GlobalVetLINK, stated, "This is an opportunity to expand a system that was developed by a well-known and respected veterinary clinic. CVS brings over sixty years of animal health services including five years of expertise on the HIMS solution. The result is a customer centric solution with capabilities to capture, collate and interpret diagnostic data. This acquisition also provides tools that the animal health industry needs to help track and prevent disease outbreaks like PEDv."The Health Information Management System (HIMS) is a real-time solution that provides digital animal laboratory diagnostics for disease monitoring, analysis and pathogen response. Along with automating the transmission of test data from the clinic to the laboratory, the system will rapidly collect and aggregate multi-lab diagnostic results; enhance data quality for genetic sequencing and disease incidence; track pathogen prevalence overtime; and increase herd health management efficiency.
HIMS will make a significant difference when novel epidemics like Swine Enteric Coronavirus Diseases (SECD), including PEDv, strike the industry. This solution can provide real-time results that could detect epidemics faster, thus take action to prevent disease spread and develop a treatment plan. With the recent Federal Order by the USDA-APHIS regarding SECD reporting, HIMS can privately house test results and only report on what the order requires from the producers, veterinarians and diagnostic laboratories. GVL and CVS can currently integrate the required data directly in EMRS 2.0 while also providing the means for veterinarians and producers to monitor and analyze herds for disease prevalence. To find out more about the SECD Federal Order, go to www.aphis.usda.gov/wps/portal/aphis/home.
So what's in-store for HIMS? The current HIMS system will maintain the same user interface and functionality until 2016. GlobalVetLINK is planning a rebrand at that time, which will reflect the current platform and portfolio of software solutions. GVL's LabLINK® Digital Diagnostic System automates test results and submissions for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) certification. GVL Senior Product Manager, Heather Van Lin, states that "HIMS will be an excellent fit with the current LabLINK solution by expanding its capabilities with more species, tests and analytical features." GVL will also marry the product names and brand it LabLINK® HIMS Diagnostic Solution. Van Lin adds, "Keeping the HIMS name is important to us, as it reflects the evolution of where diagnostic analytics will progress in order to help diagnose, prevent and treat animal disease."
Both GlobalVetLINK and Carthage Veterinary Service are excited to merge HIMS into the GVL portfolio and deliver a more thorough solution to the market. Dr. Joseph Connor, DVM, M.S. and President of Carthage Veterinary Service, Ltd, commented on the technology acquisition. "This merger of HIMS with GlobalVetLINK is a natural linkage and provides tremendous value to veterinarians and the industry. GVL is a national leader in animal health data management including Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (eCVIs) and Veterinary Feed Directives (eVFDs), and by linking this with real time diagnostics will allow the herd veterinarian to easily connect diagnostic data into a more thorough herd health plan allowing the veterinarian to ultimately fulfill the algorithm of extra label drug use (ELDU). This transfer of technology allows continued development of HIMS and positions it to provide additional value to our industry."
For more information on the HIMS system, and its addition to the GlobalVetLINK solution, contact Account Manager, Holly Schuler at (515)817-5052, or hschuler@globalvetlink.com.
Carthage Veterinary Service, Ltd. began as a mixed species service in 1948 under the name Orum and Hendren. Dr. Joseph Connor entered this practice in 1976. He completed purchase of this service in 1980, at which time the name was changed to Carthage Veterinary Service, Ltd. CVS currently services multiple species, with a focus on herd health, disease prevention, disease elimination, and bio exclusion. With ten veterinarians, and 33 additional staff members, CVS has a strong foundation to provide a multitude of services and is dedicated to providing outstanding veterinary service in the animal health industry by combining science with health and production.
GlobalVetLINK (GVL®) was founded in 2001 and is the nation's leader in digital animal health records, providing intuitive online certification solutions that enable animal health practitioners to quickly and accurately create professional health records. Their services embrace both companion and food animal where animal health practitioners and their clients can manage their records at any time and from anywhere with Internet access. The GVL® system uniquely connects veterinarians, animal owners, animal diagnostic laboratories, industry partners, and government officials to improve overall animal wellness and safety. GlobalVetLINK services support animal health practitioners to establish protocols that will help improve their business in all aspects including saving money and time.
8.21.2014