Following the recent announcement that Omda has acquired Predicare, a leading provider of decision support software in the Nordic emergency care sector, we wanted to expand on what this means for Omda, Predicare and the wider healthcare sector. As the developers of the advanced RETTS triage system used extensively in the Swedish and Norwegian emergency care environment, Predicare is an established and trusted software provider. Its acquisition will enable Omda to expand its Emergency portfolio and take a decisive step into the emergency room.
Predicare – an organisation with a proven track record
The Rapid Emergency Triage and Treatment System (RETTS) was first created in 2005 as part of a research project that aimed to bring greater structure to triage processes, support decision-making in emergency settings. Over time, RETTS gained recognition across the Nordics as an effective and practical Emergency sector solution. In 2011, Predicare was founded to manage and further develop the system and ensure its continued evolution and broader implementation. Today, Predicare is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, with a team of ten employees, and has been led by CEO Daniel Poté since 2022.
RETTS – an intuitive triage support system
RETTS is a decision support tool used in emergency response to help prioritise patients and ensure they receive prompt and appropriate care. It facilitates effective case prioritisation by using a combination of Vital Signs (VS) and Emergency Symptoms and Signs (ESS) to guide decisions.
The system standardises how patients are triaged, creating a shared framework and language for emergency responders. In turn, this improves communication between healthcare professionals, streamlines handovers, and secures greater consistency in triage decisions. Available through an online portal, RETTS works on most internet-enabled devices, making it easily accessible. The solution drives increased confidence among emergency staff and helps control costs by accelerating care, eliminating inefficiencies and reducing opportunities for confusion or human error.
Tried, tested and trusted in the Nordics
Currently, RETTS is the single largest emergency triage system in Sweden and Norway, with an 80% market share in Sweden and 65% in Norway.
Independent market analysis suggests that the global Emergency Room Triage Market was valued at US$ 3.10 billion in 2023 and could reach US$ 6.27 billion by 2030 (Coherent). Rising patient volumes and ER visits, ageing populations, and a need to reduce ER wait times are all driving market growth, while overcrowding issues caused by the arrival of non-urgent cases at emergency departments also heighten the need for effective triage solutions (Coherent).
The adoption of RETTS in Sweden and Norway highlights the growing need for effective digital triage solutions that aid decision-making in emergency care. It is particularly valuable in environments with high staff turnover, where decision support plays a critical role in helping professionals provide quick and accurate triage assessments.
Expanding on the existing Omda Emergency portfolio
For Omda, the Predicare acquisition is an intentional and exciting step into the emergency room. While the Omda Emergency portfolio has a well-developed presence in the early stages of the emergency response value chain, where Omda software supports call centre operators, dispatchers, first responders and communication between ambulances and emergency rooms, RETTS extends Omda’s product offering into emergency care in the hospital. This will benefit existing Omda customers looking to standardise solutions across the emergency response value chain, guarantee interoperability, and leverage synergies between technologies.
A solution with clear and considerable growth potential
RETTS also demonstrates significant growth potential. While Omda will focus on growing market share in both Sweden and Norway, it will also look to expand into as yet untapped global markets. Omda’s presence in 27 countries and its extensive emergency sector experience, commercial contacts and marketing resources means RETTS will benefit from an opportunity to establish itself in regions outside its traditional Scandinavian base.
RETTS can also be deployed in other healthcare areas. For instance, it could be used in tele-triage applications, allowing healthcare providers to standardise triage processes across services and ensuring consistency across the emergency department, in-vehicle and on telephone channels. Similarly, it has potential applications in mental health services and obstetrics, where it can provide a common triage structure and a consistent level of care, improve handovers, and facilitate improved cross-team collaboration.
Investing in Predicare people and expertise
As well as an investment in a tried and trusted triage system with significant growth potential, Omda’s acquisition is an investment in the talent responsible for developing the solution. Predicare’s experienced team will contribute its emergency room expertise to the Omda organisation while benefitting from our extensive knowledge of the wider emergency environment. By leveraging both teams’ insight into the emergency sector, Omda will strengthen its ability to deliver smarter ways of working and drive innovation in healthcare and emergency care.
Looking to Omda and RETTS exciting future
We believe RETTS will benefit from Omda’s expertise, experience, scale and resources, all of which will enable the solution to develop in ways that maximise benefits to patients, medical professionals and emergency care providers. We are thrilled to welcome Predicare into the Omda family and begin growing its presence in both existing and new markets.
