Harris Corporation Supports Via Oncology's Efforts to Extend Online Access to Best Cancer Treatment Recommendations to Oncologists

ATLANTA, March 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- (HIMSS '10, Booth #3133) – Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS) is collaborating with Via Oncology, a subsidiary of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC),  to enhance Via Oncology's unique, Web-based decision support system that helps physicians determine the best treatment plan for cancer patients.  The system is designed to ensure quality and reduce variability in the delivery of cancer care by leveraging a data-driven "decision tree" that oncologists can readily use in their day-to-day treatment of patients.

Under a three-month, quick-react contract from Via Oncology, Harris is providing the Content Authoring Module (CAM) for the Via Oncology Pathways tool.  The new module is expected to dramatically reduce the time required to update the massive decision tree with new clinical content — from five days to less than a day.

"The Via Oncology Pathways system enables equitable access to high-quality oncology care for patients seeking timely and effective cancer treatment," said Jim Traficant, vice president of Harris  Healthcare Solutions.  "The addition of the Harris CAM makes it easier for Via Oncology to quickly update recommended treatment information and patient education materials to keep pace with the rapid changes in evidence-based medicine."

UPMC is an $8 billion integrated global health enterprise and one of the leading, nonprofit health systems in the United States.  Academic and community oncologists within the medical center developed Via Oncology Pathways to proactively address quality and cost containment in oncology care.  The Via Oncology model emphasizes development of Pathways by expert panels of disease-specific academic and community oncologists, who establish a single, best treatment for each state and stage of disease — based upon a hierarchy of effectiveness, toxicity and cost.

"We've been very impressed with Harris and its ability to develop creative solutions to allow the Via Oncology Pathways to keep pace on almost a real-time basis with the ever-changing cancer care landscape," said Kathy Lokay, President of Via Oncology.

Harris Healthcare Solutions provides enterprise intelligence solutions and services for government and commercial customers — including systems integration, intelligent infrastructure, advanced visualization and display, enterprise digital content management and IT solutions.  A leader in federal healthcare IT integration, Harris products, systems and services improve healthcare outcomes by assuring that critical medical and benefits information is delivered with security and privacy to the right person, on the right device, at the point of care.

About Via Oncology

Via Oncology is a cancer value management company and a subsidiary of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). Via Oncology is committed to innovative solutions that address the quality and cost issues in cancer care today through the development and implementation of the Via Oncology Pathways, a set of treatment algorithms presented in a patient-specific decision support tool that help practicing oncologists provide the best possible cancer care. This unique approach helps payers and providers collaborate on appropriate models that drive improved patient outcomes and sustainable cost management. For more information, visit www.viaoncology.com.

About Harris Corporation

Harris is an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets worldwide.  Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the company has approximately $5 billion of annual revenue and more than 15,000 employees — including nearly 7,000 engineers and scientists.  Harris is dedicated to developing best-in-class assured communications® products, systems, and services.  Additional information about Harris Corporation is available at www.harris.com.

SOURCE Harris Corporation