CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 4, 2004--
Microsoft, HP, Cisco, Cap Gemini Help Make e-Prescribing Affordable
and Accessible
Allscripts Healthcare Solutions (Nasdaq:MDRX), the leading
provider of clinical software, connectivity and information solutions
for physicians, announced a new electronic prescribing solution,
TouchScript.NET(TM), designed specifically for physicians practicing
on their own or in small group settings. The solution is a result of a
one-year collaborative development effort between Allscripts and
Microsoft Corporation. Based on Microsoft’s .NET technology, the new
application, usable in an on-line or off-line mode, will be easily
downloadable and will be available bundled with a variety of HP PCs.
Physicians will now be able to implement e-prescribing in their
practices cost-effectively in a matter of minutes.
By building on .NET technology, physicians will be able to take
advantage of the product on a variety of computing platforms from
traditional desktop PCs, to the latest mobile Tablet PCs, and Pocket
PCs, making it easily adaptable to a wide range of practice
environments. The .NET edition of TouchScript(TM) is designed as the
first module of a complete electronic medical record (EMR) companion
to Microsoft Office 2003, with additional modules scheduled for
release later this year. The familiarity of Microsoft Office combined
with powerful clinical modules from Allscripts will help accelerate
the use of technology in the care process by physicians.
“We are pleased to be working with Allscripts Healthcare
Solutions, as it continues to help the healthcare industry achieve
increased productivity using cost-effective, proven Microsoft
technology,” said David Lubinski, Managing Director, Microsoft
Healthcare and Life Sciences. “This application encourages increased
communication and collaboration between healthcare providers by
enabling them to quickly access information at the point of care,
improving the quality of service that is provided to patients.”
“The .NET edition of TouchScript is an important step in our
strategy to make clinical technology widely available to independent
physicians and smaller practices,” commented Glen Tullman, Chief
Executive Officer of Allscripts Healthcare Solutions. “Over the past
few years, physicians using earlier versions of TouchScript have
written millions of prescriptions. TouchScript.NET packages all of
that experience into an easy to install, easy to learn application,
using the latest technology, distributed by the best partners in the
industry, with a clear upgrade path to an electronic chart or a full
EMR integrated with Microsoft Office 2003. This exciting initiative is
another important step to in our efforts to improve the quality of
healthcare.”
Improvements in quality of care through use of Allscripts
solutions have been documented and published, including an award in
patient safety received by Aurora Health Care from the Institute for
Safe Medicine Practices and the experience of the Hawaii Medical
Service Association (HMSA) in a statewide rollout of e-prescribing in
Hawaii.
“This solution will enable any physician to acquire advanced
e-prescribing quickly and affordably,” said Peter Geerlofs, M.D.,
Chief Medical Officer of Allscripts Healthcare Solutions. “We focused
an enormous amount of attention on physician workflow, ease of use,
and quick implementation.”
Available in April on a monthly subscription basis,
TouchScript.NET will be distributed via a broad coalition of strategic
partners. In addition to marketing support from Microsoft and HP
(NYSE:HPQ), Cisco Systems will promote this solution through its
small-to-medium business channels, and Cap Gemini will coordinate
initiatives with payers. TouchScript.NET will also be available as an
integrated component of the award-winning Impact.MD(R) document
imaging and charting solution for small practices developed by the AIC
business unit of Allscripts and offered through a network of over 600
value-added resellers.
The solution will be available with pre-bundled packages of HP
hardware and software optimized for different practice settings. HP
will also distribute the new software through an e-commerce web site
dedicated to co-marketing this solution on the web.
“HP has a strategic interest in healthcare and already provides
many healthcare organizations with the technology they need to deliver
world class care. Our direct channel combines our marketing efforts
with Allscripts Healthcare Solutions and will make it even easier for
independent physicians to access our technology, loaded with valuable
software they need to improve their practices,” commented Chuck
Kinzel, Director, Americas Healthcare Industry Vertical, HP.
“We believe that enabling the physician and their staff with the
right tools that match the profile of their practice will help the
industry to embrace this as an important step towards utilizing
technology to improve patient safety, and achieve higher quality
outcomes,” commented Donald Gravlin, Vice President and Chief
Technology Officer for the Health Practice at Cap Gemini.
Clinical content for this application is being provided by
Medi-Span and Facts and Comparisons, two long established, trusted
names in drug information. These brands are part of Wolters Kluwer
Health, a major publisher of databases and decision support tools to
the healthcare industry.
About Allscripts Healthcare Solutions
Allscripts Healthcare Solutions (AHS) is the leading provider of
clinical software, connectivity and information solutions for
physicians. The Company’s TouchWorks(TM) software is a modular
Electronic Medical Record (EMR) that enhances physician productivity
by automating the most common physician activities including
prescribing, dictating, capturing charges, ordering labs and viewing
results, providing patient education, and documenting clinical
encounters. TouchWorks is available on the latest Tablet PCs, wireless
handheld devices, desktop workstations and over the Internet. AHS also
offers electronic document imaging and scanning solutions through its
Advanced Imaging Concepts subsidiary. Additionally, AHS provides
healthcare product education and market research programs for
physicians through its Physicians Interactive(TM) unit and medication
fulfillment services through its Allscripts Direct(TM) unit. Visit AHS
on the Web at www.allscripts.com.
Strategic partners include IDX Systems (Nasdaq:IDXC); IMS Health
(NYSE:RX); Microsoft; HP; and Medco Health.
This announcement may contain forward-looking statements about
Allscripts Healthcare Solutions that involve risks and uncertainties.
These statements are developed by combining currently available
information with Allscripts beliefs and assumptions. Forward-looking
statements do not guarantee future performance. Because Allscripts
cannot predict all of the risks and uncertainties that may affect it,
or control the ones it does predict, Allscripts’ actual results may be
materially different from the results expressed in its forward-looking
statements. For a more complete discussion of the risks, uncertainties
and assumptions that may affect Allscripts see the Company’s 2002
Annual Report on Form 10-K, available through the Web site maintained
by the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov.
CONTACT: Allscripts Healthcare Solutions
Dan Michelson, 847-680-3515, Ext. 4330
dan.michelson@allscripts.com
or
John Nebergall, 847-680-3515, Ext. 4546
john.nebergall@allscripts.com
SOURCE: Allscripts Healthcare Solutions