Paperless, legally binding communication from doctor to doctor, both in the hospital and also in the settled area is no longer just a vision, but an absolute promise. From now on administration can be more effectively organised and more time is left for the patients.

This is based on the intarsys signature software Sign Live!, intelligent PDF forms based on CABAReT Stage and an electronic workflow manager. This means almost all labour-intensive management processes in the clinical environment and in the established doctors practices can be carried out in electronic form.

• Inbox management
  The paper inbox is digitised and electronically signed centrally or by department in a working process. The original paper documents can then be shredded. The use of qualified electronic signatures (QES) guarantees the highest level of security against unnoticed manipulation and gives the scan files the maximum probative value. After the scanning and signature process the digital documents can be taken over by an electronic workflow and automatically forwarded to the downstream locations for processing. When planning a workflow there is basically no difference between distribution of business documents, such as incoming invoices, or medical documents, such as patient admissions.
   
• Form management
  All conventional forms are digitised 1:1 as PDF forms and immediately updated if required. The PDF form is filled out directly on the desktop. Plausibility tests within the PDF prevent gross errors in inputs. The signature, which is normally given by hand on paper, is replaced by an electronic pendant. The Sign Live! signature software accepts the signature given on a digital writing tablet and inserts this directly into the electronic PDF form. The eForm that has been filled out and signed in this way can be directed to the locations for further processing through an electronic workflow and filed in parallel in the electronic archive. There is the option of giving patients a paper printout.
   
• Appraisal
  Doctors and care staff write reports, appraisals, prescriptions etc. at their workplace. These are signed directly at the PC with a legally binding electronic signature (signed). A paper printout for signing is no longer necessary. The workflow manager sends the document over a protected connection to the recipient or recipients, who can view the document or process it further. At the end of the process, the document is automatically electronically archived and it can be called up at any time and from any location by the original author and all parties involved. Patients have the option of copying their documents automatically into a personal archive.

The demands on the technical infrastructure are low; all that is required is a computer with broadband internet access. Local installation is limited to a card reader for the signature equipment and signature software. There are considerable advantages for everyone involved. Information is transferred in almost real time, and with strong data protection. Costs for paper, printers, postage and storage are eliminated, as is the handling of paper documents. It is also very quick and easy to search for documents, even after years, by entering a small amount of data.