InCompass Solutions Inc. today announced that it has launched the Jockey Health Information System, a database that will store jockeys’ updated medical histories and make it possible for emergency medical personnel at racetracks to instantly access that information in the event of injury.

There is no cost for any racetrack or jockey to participate in the Jockey Health Information System. It can be accessed via a new module of InCompass’ Race Track Operations system.

The creation and development of the Jockey Health Information System featured collaboration among InCompass, The Jockey Club Technology Services Inc., the Jockeys’ Guild, Keeneland and Dr. Barry Schumer, Keeneland’s medical director who developed the original concept and consulted on the project.

The concept was conceived by Keeneland in late April whereupon Dr. Schumer worked with InCompass on the design. A beta version of the system made its debut on opening day of the Keeneland fall meeting on Friday, October 3.

The system was put to immediate use when, following a spill in the day’s seventh race, Dr. Schumer was able to access the fallen rider’s medical history within seconds and send a hard copy of the medical history with the rider when he was transported to a local hospital.

The rollout of the Jockey Health Information System to other racetracks is expected to begin in November 2008.

“There are many ongoing initiatives to address equine safety but it’s also very important to do all we can to enhance the health and safety of our human athletes, the jockeys,” said Nick Nicholson, president and chief executive officer of Keeneland. “We’re grateful to Dr. Barry Schumer who had the vision and provided the medical expertise needed to get this program off the ground and to The Jockey Club for building the database.”

To ensure privacy of medical information, user IDs and passwords will be issued to each medical staff member at respective racetracks. The medical staff will then be able to access the rider database within seconds of a rider being involved in a spill.

This information will be available electronically and in a hard copy form that can accompany riders who require transport to a trauma center for further care and evaluation.

“Authorized emergency medical staff around the country can now get a rider’s medical history,” explained Dr. Schumer. “The information is secure, regularly updated, and always accessible to the emergency team.”

Schumer, who has been associated with Keeneland for 27 years, said that knowing a jockey’s medical history is particularly important if a rider is in shock, has a head injury, doesn’t speak English or has no family present.

“This system will be a tremendous benefit to riders all over the country and the medical personnel who treat them,” said Terry Meyocks, national manager of the Jockeys’ Guild. “The Guild is very grateful to The Jockey Club for developing and implementing this system and for doing so on a pro bono basis for our members. The Guild stands ready to provide assistance at all racetracks.”

In July, The Jockey Club announced the launch of the Equine Injury Database system that will provide the racing industry with its first national database of racing injuries. As a service to the industry, The Jockey Club, through two of its for-profit subsidiary companies, InCompass Solutions Inc. and The Jockey Club Technology Services Inc., will underwrite the cost of operating the Equine Injury Database and the Jockey Health Information System.

InCompass is a technology solutions company formed by The Jockey Club in 2001 to centralize the software applications and systems that serve North American racetracks and simulcast outlets, thereby helping these facilities achieve operational efficiencies, reduce costs and increase revenue.