New Open-Source Software Could Improve Breast Cancer Management

A new software suite is being developed in the Canadian Atlantic provinces that could make patient management and imaging resource use more efficient, not only in that region but in the rest of the world. Information on the system was presented this week at the 2012 World Cancer Congress.

The Breast Imaging Electronic Medical Record (BIEMR) is built on open-source, Web-based cancer data management software, called Caisis, that was developed at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. Caisis integrates elements of electronic medical records (EMRs), specimen tracking, statistical analysis and reporting, and clinical trial management.

Scheduled for implementation in Nova Scotia in early 2013, BIEMR will allow users to easily enter data in a system that is a significant improvement over the current patchwork of outdated and largely "in-house-developed" software programs for tracking and managing patients. There will be no fee or maintenance/support contract associated with the software.