Better Healthcare for SA: How Data & Evidence Are Raising Care Standards

How PLEXIS and SmartChoice Are Redefining South African Healthcare

Healthcare isn’t what it used to be. Gone are the days when "doctor knows best" meant relying on intuition alone. Today, the best care blends expertise with hard evidence—and that’s where PLEXIS and SmartChoice come in. Together, we’re helping South African providers turn data into better decisions, safer treatments, and healthier patients.

Why Evidence-Based Care Isn’t Just Nice-to-Have—It’s Non-Negotiable

Not long ago, medicine relied heavily on individual experience and expert opinion. While valuable, this approach sometimes led to inconsistencies in care. The shift toward evidence-based guidelines changed that, ensuring treatments are rooted in the latest scientific data. Today, these guidelines act as a roadmap, helping clinicians navigate complex medical decisions with confidence.

Two Real-World Wins: How Guidelines Save Lives

Developing evidence-based guidelines isn’t just about reviewing studies—it’s about translating data into actionable steps that improve lives. Let’s look at two powerful examples:

1. Hypertension: The Silent Killer (Now Silenced)

A JAMA study proved it: when clinics followed structured blood pressure guidelines, heart attacks and strokes plummeted. Simple tweaks—like standardising medications and monitoring—meant fewer emergencies and longer lives.

2. Diabetes: Cutting Complications in Half

With evidence-based strategies (think: personalised sugar targets and regular foot checks), patients saw fewer amputations, less kidney damage, and more stable days. One study even showed a 40% drop in ER visits.

PLEXIS: Where Guidelines Meet Real-World Practice

PLEXIS doesn’t just talk about evidence—it embeds it. Here’s how:

• Instant Access to Trusted Protocols – Integrated guidelines from MCG and McKesson ensure every decision aligns with global best practices.
• Patient-Friendly Education – Through Healthwise (now WebMD Ignite), patients get clear, actionable advice—not jargon. ​
• Predictive Power – Tools like Milliman Advanced Risk Adjusters flag risks early, so doctors can intervene before a crisis.



SmartChoice: Making Global Tech Work Locally

As PLEXIS’s exclusive South African partner, we don’t just install software—we make it work here. How?

• Customised for SA Regulations – No clunky imports; we adapt every feature to local compliance and needs.
• Training That Sticks – From onboarding to advanced analytics, we ensure teams actually use the tools.
• Always Up-to-Date – Because outdated guidelines are worse than none at all.

"But What About My Patient’s Unique Needs?"

Guidelines aren’t rigid rules—they’re guardrails. PLEXIS lets clinicians:

• Adjust for complex cases (like multi-disease patients).
• Stay current with automatic updates and clinician training.
• Engage patients with tailored education that sticks.

"Evidence-based medicine isn’t cookbook care—it’s using the best available science to inform, not replace, clinical judgment."

The Bottom Line: Better Care, Fewer Costs, Healthier Communities

With PLEXIS’s tech and SmartChoice’s on-the-ground expertise, South African providers are:

• Slashing avoidable errors – No more "oops, missed that risk factor."
• Freeing up budgets – Preventative care costs less than ER disasters.
• Building trust – Patients notice when their care is consistent and transparent.

The future of healthcare isn’t coming—it’s already here. The real question? How much longer can you afford not to be part of it?

Let’s make evidence-based care your new standard. [Contact Us] to start today.

• 2014 Evidence-Based Guidelines
• Clinical Practice Guidelines
• Digital Transformation of Healthcare
• Business Process Outsourcing
• AI in Healthcare