Newsbytes

 title
 

cap today

May 2003

Raymond D. Aller, MD,
Hal Weiner and

Michael Weilert, MD

Vendors join HIMSS in push for

universal electronic health records



More than 70 information technology companies and health systems and an even greater number of senior executives from organizations nationwide have signed a declaration issued by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society calling for immediate action supporting the universal implementation of electronic health records. Among the vendors supporting the declaration, titled “Bridging the chasm: realizing a universal EHR,” are Cerner, Eclipsys, McKesson Information Solutions, Misys Healthcare Systems, and Per Se Technologies.



In the declaration, HIMSS pledges to convene the public and private sectors in an effort to improve patient safety through electronic health records. “This document signifies the commitment of our individual members and member corporations for the adoption of electronic health records in all health care settings,” says H. Stephen Lieber, president and CEO of HIMSS.



“To make the EHR a reality in the United States,” the declaration reads, “we support a HIMSS EHR summit that convenes the leading vendors, consultants, clinicians, HIT provider executives, payers, government agencies, pharmaceuticals, standards development organizations, associations, and others to develop a realistic action plan.”



Those companies and individuals that signed the declaration also pledge to:
  • Commit resources—individually within the care site as well as on a corporate level, to immediately move toward universal implementation of EHRs in acute and ambulatory care settings.
  • Urge funding for all health care entities to invest in EHR-enabling technologies.
  • Support the findings of the report from the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics recommending a National Health Information Infrastructure (NHII).
  • Endorse the office of the senior advisor of the NHII, including the impending NHII consensus conference.

The complete HIMSS declaration and a list of initial supporters are posted on the HIMSS Web site, www.himss.org. An online form is also available so interested individuals and organizations can register their support for the declaration.

SCC Soft Computer and IntraNexus forge relationship

SCC Soft Computer and IntraNexus have formed a business relationship to provide comprehensive health care information systems to hospitals and allied health care organizations.



The companies will offer clinician clients direct access to laboratory, radiology, and pharmacy information within IntraNexus’ Sapphire hospital information system.

“With the addition of SCC’s functionality, clinicians can use our Sapphire HIS to electronically order tests and procedures, receive alerts regarding abnormal test results, and securely view patient results in real-time,” says Richard O’Pry, president and CEO of IntraNexus. “Clinical information from across the health care delivery network will be incorporated into the patient’s electronic medical record and viewed within Sapphire.”



Use of the Health Level 7 CCOW standard for context management “will enable hospital staff to immediately move from Sapphire into SCC’s systems if needed,” adds Gilbert Hakim, CEO of SCC.



New thermal transfer printers



ID Solutions, a division of Arch Crown, has introduced a new line of M-Class thermal transfer printers.



The Datamax M-4206 features the capabilities of a large-volume printer, including serial, parallel, and USB ports. Options include Ethernet connectivity, internal rewinder, cutter, and peel and present sensor for single-label printing. The printer also offers six-inch per second print speed and large label and ribbon capacity.



Axolotl releases transcription management, accounting tools



Axolotl Corp. has released report management, accounting, and auditing tools for its Elysium transcription service. These Web-based tools allow health information management staff to track turnaround time and costs per line, per physician, and per report type in real-time.



All reports are logged and tracked from dictation through transcription and e-signature. Reports can also be made available outside the HIM department with secure concurrent access for coding, patient accounting, and emergency departments. Physicians can access, review, and sign transcribed reports from any secure Internet connection.



Transcribed reports can be consolidated with lab and radiology reports and ADT information and stored in a hospital’s standardized data repository.



Contracts



Triple G Systems Group has signed a contract with the Saskatchewan Health Information Network to provide the TriWin laboratory information system to five health regions in Saskatchewan, Canada.



Triple G will provide TriWin for the core lab, microbiology, anatomic pathology, and cytology. The LIS will be centrally hosted in a secure environment using the province’s wide area network. Dr. Aller is director of bioterrorism preparedness and response for Los Angeles County Public Health Acute Communicable Diseases. He can be reached at raller@earthlink.net. Mr. Weiner is president of Weiner Consulting Services, LLC, Florence, Ore. He can be reached at hal@weinerconsulting.com. Dr. Weilert is director of laboratories, Community Hospitals of Central California, Fresno. He can be reached at mweilertmd@communitymedical.org.