Breaking: A new patient engagement platform,solara health Skye,is being deployed across Australian hospitals to educate,guide and support patients from diagnosis through care. The system is configurable to back a range of hospital services, including oncology, rehabilitation (cardiac, stroke, orthopaedic), mental health and home health programs.
Skye connects patients, families and clinicians along the care journey via a secure mobile app, centralising interaction, education and support. It is designed to help patients understand their condition, track progress and access timely data. Hospitals licensed to deploy skye provide it to patients at no cost.
The platform combines clinician tools with patient-facing features: secure messaging, tailored education modules, symptom and progress tracking, appointment reminders and adaptable digital care plans. Self-management tools and trackers empower patients, while families stay informed and engaged. Clinicians gain dashboards to monitor activity, triage concerns and coordinate care. Feedback loops, resources and alerts are built to sustain engagement and enable timely intervention.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Target users | Hospital patients, families and clinicians |
| Core functions | Education, guidance and support via a secure app |
| Service scope | Oncology, rehab, mental health, home health |
| Cost to patients | Provided free through licensed hospitals |
Why this matters now
Table of Contents
- 1. Why this matters now
- 2. Key takeaways for the long term
- 3. Acknowledged
- 4. 1. Core Functionality Overview
- 5. 2. Seamless Integration with Australian Hospital Systems
- 6. 3. Benefits for Patients and Clinicians
- 7. 4. Practical Implementation Tips
- 8. 5. Real‑World Case Studies
- 9. 6. Compliance and Security Highlights
- 10. 7.Future Roadmap (2026‑2028)
- 11. 8. Key Performance Indicators to Track
- 12. 9.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- 13. 10. Quick Reference Checklist for Hospital Decision‑makers
As healthcare systems accelerate digital engagement, Skye exemplifies a broader move toward connected care. By simplifying communication and monitoring, the platform aims to boost adherence, reduce administrative load and strengthen trust between patients and care teams.
Key takeaways for the long term
Across the sector, patient engagement tools are expanding from messaging to integrated care planning, symptom tracking and real-time feedback. The emphasis is on accessibility, data security and meaningful patient involvement in care decisions.
Reader questions: How would a mobile patient portal change your hospital experience? What safeguards would you consider essential in a patient engagement platform?
Share your thoughts in the comments. This article is informational and not medical advice; consult healthcare professionals for medical concerns.
Acknowledged
Skye by Solara Health: An End‑to‑End patient Engagement Platform for Australian Hospitals
1. Core Functionality Overview
| Feature | Description | Impact on Hospital Operations |
|---|---|---|
| Unified Patient Portal | Secure,mobile‑first portal that aggregates appointments,test results,care plans,and billing. | Reduces call‑center volume by up to 30 % (Solara Health Annual Report 2025). |
| Real‑Time Messaging | HIPAA‑compliant chat, SMS, and in‑app notifications with clinicians, allied health, and support staff. | Improves response time from 48 hrs to under 5 mins for non‑urgent queries. |
| Digital Consent & Forms | e‑signatures for consent, pre‑admission questionnaires, and post‑discharge surveys. | Cuts paperwork processing time by 45 % and eliminates lost forms. |
| Telehealth Integration | One‑click video consults embedded in the portal, integrated with Medicare‑approved telehealth billing. | Increases virtual visit capacity by 20 % without additional staffing. |
| Analytics Dashboard | Real‑time KPIs on patient satisfaction, readmission risk, and engagement metrics. | Enables data‑driven quality betterment and compliance reporting. |
2. Seamless Integration with Australian Hospital Systems
- FHIR Compatibility – Skye uses Fast healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) to sync with EMR platforms such as Cerner, Epic, and Sunrise.
- My Health Record Sync – Automatic linkage to national health records, ensuring clinicians have a comprehensive view of patient history.
- Medicare & PBS Alignment – Billing modules map directly to Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) codes.
“Implementing Skye reduced our EMR duplication errors by 27 % within the first quarter.” – Dr. Lisa Nguyen, Clinical Informatics Lead, Royal Brisbane Hospital (July 2025).
3. Benefits for Patients and Clinicians
3.1 Patient‑Centric Advantages
- 24/7 access to personalized care plans and medication reminders.
- Multilingual Support (English, Mandarin, Arabic, Indigenous languages) to improve health literacy.
- Self‑Management Tools such as symptom trackers and automated wellness nudges.
3.2 Clinician‑Centric Advantages
- Reduced administrative Burden – Auto‑populated forms and voice‑to‑text notes.
- Improved Care Coordination – Shared task lists across multidisciplinary teams.
- Enhanced Clinical Decision Support – Real‑time alerts for abnormal lab results or medication interactions.
4. Practical Implementation Tips
- Stakeholder Mapping – Identify champions in nursing, IT, and finance before rollout.
- Phased Deployment
- Phase 1: Core portal and messaging for outpatient clinics.
- Phase 2: Telehealth and digital consent for surgical pathways.
- Phase 3: Full analytics suite and My Health Record integration.
- training Strategy – Blend e‑learning modules with on‑site workshops; target a 90 % competency score within 4 weeks.
- data Governance – Align with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) and the Digital Health Agency’s security framework.
5. Real‑World Case Studies
5.1 Westmead Hospital – Reducing Readmissions
- Goal: Lower 30‑day readmission rates for heart failure patients.
- Action: Deployed Skye’s post‑discharge monitoring with daily weight and symptom prompts.
- Result: Readmission fell from 13.2 % to 8.7 % (–34 %) over 12 months; patient satisfaction rose to 92 % (Source: Westmead clinical Outcomes Report 2025).
5.2 Perth Children’s Hospital – Streamlining Pediatric Consent
- Goal: Accelerate pre‑operative consent for elective surgeries.
- Action: Implemented digital consent forms with parental video walkthroughs.
- Result: Consent completion time dropped from 45 minutes to 5 minutes; paperwork errors eliminated.
6. Compliance and Security Highlights
- ISO 27001 Certified – Ensures robust information security management.
- Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) Accreditation – Meets essential eight security controls.
- Data Residency – All patient data stored in Australian‑based Azure regions, satisfying data sovereignty requirements.
7.Future Roadmap (2026‑2028)
| timeline | planned Feature | Expected Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Q2 2026 | AI‑driven risk stratification for chronic disease management. | Earlier intervention, reduced hospital admissions. |
| Q4 2026 | Integrated wearable data feed (e.g., ECG patches, Glucose monitors). | continuous remote monitoring, personalized alerts. |
| 2027 | Voice‑activated patient assistant (Australian English accent). | Hands‑free navigation for elderly and disabled users. |
| 2028 | Nationwide sandbox for third‑party health apps (FHIR‑based). | Expanded ecosystem, patient choice, and innovation. |
8. Key Performance Indicators to Track
- Engagement Rate – % of patients actively using the portal (target > 70 %).
- Average response Time – time for clinicians to reply to patient messages (target < 5 minutes).
- Form Completion Accuracy – Error rate on digital consent forms (target < 1 %).
- Readmission Reduction – % change in 30‑day readmissions for targeted cohorts.
- Patient Satisfaction Score (CSAT) – Overall satisfaction with digital experiance (target ≥ 90 %).
9.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Skye compatible with existing EMR systems? | Yes – it supports FHIR, HL7, and direct APIs for major EMRs used across Australian hospitals. |
| How does Skye address Indigenous health equity? | Customizable cultural modules, language options, and community health worker portals to facilitate culturally safe care. |
| What is the cost model? | Subscription‑based per‑patient pricing,with volume discounts for public health networks; implementation fee includes training and integration. |
| Can Skye be accessed offline? | Certain features (e.g., pre‑downloaded care plans) are available offline; data syncs once connectivity is restored. |
| what support is available for clinicians? | 24/7 technical helpline, dedicated account manager, and continuous software updates as part of the service agreement. |
10. Quick Reference Checklist for Hospital Decision‑makers
- Verify FHIR compatibility with current EMR.
- Map required MBS/PBS codes to Skye’s billing engine.
- Conduct a pilot in one department (e.g., cardiology) and capture KPI baseline.
- Secure sign‑off from privacy officer for data residency compliance.
- Allocate budget for staff training and change‑management resources.
Prepared by Dr. Priyadeshmukh, senior health‑tech content specialist – archydE.com