The Impact of IT on Healthcare to be Discussed by Worldwide Experts at HIMSS AsiaPac13, Hong Kong

HONG KONG, July 8, 2013 -- The world's leading healthcare speakers and industry experts from across the globe are due to converge at a major Health IT conference - the HIMSS AsiaPac13 Greater China eHealth Forum( http://www.himssasiapac.org/13 ) - in Hong Kong this summer to discuss strategies, challenges and outcome of Information Technology adoption in the healthcare industry. Delegates attending the event will experience emerging technologies and engage in discussions on enhancing patient care and safety using IT. The conference will take place from 1 August to 2 August 2013 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) with a pre-conference symposia consisting of Nursing Informatics and Clinician IT Leadership at the Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital on 31 July 2013. The conference is organised by HIMSS Asia Pacific, a not-for-profit organisation that brings together healthcare providers, government bodies, healthcare professional organisations and solution providers for the betterment of healthcare.

The adoption of information technology in healthcare facilities enhances patient care delivery dramatically. A White Paper released by HIMSS found that healthcare establishments using advanced technology such as electronic medical records (EMR) experience a significant reduction in both mortality (46%) and adverse drug events (94%). The study also revealed that EMR adoption decreases the time involved in ordering medications; decreases the cost of producing paper forms; improves data capture; and reduces transcription costs and duplicate lab testing.

HIMSS AsiaPac13 consists of six activities, from pre-conference symposia to education sessions, giving delegates the opportunity to network with the growing healthcare information industry's best minds as well as key decision-makers from the Greater China Region:

Clinician IT Symposium, Pamela Youde Nethersole 31 July 2013

Eastern Hospital

Nursing Informatics Symposium, Pamela Youde 31 July 2013

Nethersole Eastern Hospital

Greater China Forum (with simultaneous 1-2 August 2013

translation), HKCEC

International Forum, HKCEC 1-2 August 2013

Leadership Special Networking Event, ToTTs, 1 August 2013

Excelsior Hotel

Exhibition of products & services, HKCEC 1-2 August 2013

The Clinician IT Symposium will focus on the impact IT has on delivery improvement, safety and quality assurance in various healthcare establishments. Attendees will hear from top leaders in the medical field and senior executives from global research organisations who will share their expertise and success in regards to implementing IT in Healthcare

Running concurrently with the Clinician IT Symposium is the Nursing Informatics Symposium. International experts with in-depth knowledge of IT in the nursing sector will discuss subjects on Governance, Education and Engaging stakeholders.

On 1 August, the conference will move to the HKCEC where more than 20 speakers from 13 countries and regions will make presentations on a variety of topics including Health IT (HIT) X.0, Mobile Health, Standards and Interoperability and Care in the Community. This part of the conference will feature two forums running in parallel - The Greater China Forum and The International Forum - with addresses from leading healthcare experts from different regions. Dr. Wun Chung Por, President of e-Health Consortium of the Hong Kong Hospital Authority and Dr. Ko Wing-Man, Secretary for Food & Health, Food and Health Bureau Hong Kong will give the opening addresses.

Steven Yeo, Vice President & Executive Director, HIMSS Asia Pacific, General Manager, HIMSS Analytics Asia Pacific & Middle East said, "It has been proven time and time again that information technology is transforming the quality of healthcare by reducing medical errors and improving patient care. The medical profession will find great value in attending our Symposiums and Forums because they will hear from experts at the top of their field on how information technology has revolutionised their practice and their patients' lives. They will learn about the challenges that these experts have faced during the process of implementing IT in healthcare and also get the opportunity to network with like-minded people from their sectors."

Delegates can register for HIMSS AsiaPac13 Greater China eHealth Forum here( http://www.himssasiapac.org/13/registration/index.aspx ).

For more information about HIMSS AsiaPac13, please visit www.himssasiapac.org/13

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