Software » IQ Solutions: A Library of International Quality Software and Tools

Futures Group’s vision is to help HIV care and treatment providers worldwide collect and use data for improved health outcomes. Our strategy is to provide a set of highly configurable tools with comprehensive reporting capability to HIV/AIDS clinics and hospitals in resource-poor countries.

IQSolutions is a robust library of patient management and monitoring systems and data reporting tools that provide the key components for adaptive patient management, healthcare quality, and clinical sustainability. It is designed especially for use in countries with under-developed infrastructure, including rural areas with intermittent electricity and Internet access.

As we know, each hospital has different clinical processes and reporting needs. The IQSolutions suite of products offers software applications that meet these needs and help staff effectively provide and improve patient care. These data tools are available as free software under the creative commons license: our expectation is that organizations will use and enhance these products and share their software enhancements with others.

Futures Group’s informatics solutions for patient monitoring and management are collectively known as IQSolutions. Current parts include IQCare, IQChart, IQTools, IQTraining, IQReports, and IQGeo.

IQCare is a robust, comprehensive data capture and reporting system with management tools designed to measure patient outcomes. IQCare helps clinics collect and use data on patients’ care and status over time. It also provides easy, flexible reporting, which leads to enhanced data use and analysis. It is currently in use at over 75 clinics in four countries (Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda).

Futures’ IQCare System received top marks in a recent (May 2009) review by the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and others: “…the IQCare system…came up top in terms of overall features (technical and non-technical) and also in terms of largest number of installations so far made…”

IQTools can link to any electronic system, regardless of how well- or under-developed its reporting features or validations checks. It facilitates data validation and automated reporting both at the facility and central levels―as well as across multiple databases―and thereby improves data quality.

IQChart is a multi-language patient management information system based on the World Health Organization patient registers. It collects critical information from the registers and longitudinal data from patient records, then automatically generates essential information requested by the clinics for care, analysis, or donor reporting needs. Used so far primarily in Rwanda and Guyana, it was developed as an efficient yet simple patient monitoring and reporting tool for low-capacity sites. After extensive training and technical assistance by Futures Group, it is in use at over 90 clinics in Rwanda.

IQTraining is a database that tracks the number of people trained in components of IQSolutions. It includes all programmatic areas tracked by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, as well as curriculum objectives and data on the local partner treatment facilities trained, facilitators and participants, and funding agency. Training reports are easily produced.

IQReports is an aggregate reporting tool used for standard or customized quarterly and monthly program reports. It makes reports accessible in real time, and makes allowances for slow internet connections via a delayed e-mail feature.

IQGeo links data from local partner treatment facilities to geographical info, mapping the patient communities and locations of health centers providing care. For planning purposes, it can also map catchment areas, planned expansion of health services, and more.