FARMINGTON, Conn. & CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–July 27,
2004–Allscripts Healthcare Solutions (Nasdaq:MDRX), the leading
provider of clinical software, connectivity and information solutions
that physicians use to improve healthcare, announced today that
ConnectiCare, a leading Connecticut-based managed care company, will
provide TouchWorks(TM) e-prescribing technology and related hardware
for selected physicians in ConnectiCare’s network. ConnectiCare will
also provide physicians with an incentive bonus based upon use of the
system and plans to monitor the impact of e-prescribing on patient
safety, generic use, reduced callbacks to physicians and physician
satisfaction. ConnectiCare and Allscripts have already begun
contacting physicians to secure their participation.
“Technology offers a significant opportunity to improve the
quality, safety and efficiency of healthcare, and we’re proud to take
the lead in making it easier for our network physicians to implement
electronic prescribing,” said Paul Bluestein, MD, Chief Medical
Officer of ConnectiCare. “We believe that TouchWorks is the right
solution for our initiative to encourage the use of technology in
healthcare because it offers physicians the option to start with
electronic prescribing and grow into a full electronic medical record,
if they so choose.”
This announcement is the latest in a trend of managed care
organizations helping to subsidize the cost of clinical automation.
Earlier this year, WellPoint Health Networks Inc. announced a $40
million initiative to automate up to 19,000 physicians in their
network with a mobile electronic prescribing solution or a desktop
paperwork reduction package. Similarly, the Hawaii Medical Service
Association (HMSA), an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue
Shield Association and Hawaii’s largest provider of health care
coverage, subsidizes e-prescribing software for up to 500 of their
network physicians.
“Forward-thinking managed care organizations are realizing that
clinical automation solutions, like e-prescribing, offer safety and
quality benefits for patients while at the same time offering
financial benefits for the organization,” commented J. Peter Geerlofs,
M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Allscripts Healthcare Solutions.
“Allscripts is excited to work with ConnectiCare to improve the
healthcare system through the utilization of technology.”
The e-prescribing functionality of TouchWorks, also known as
TouchWorks Rx+(TM), is a part of the complete TouchWorks EMR
(electronic medical record). The software minimizes prescribing errors
by ensuring that prescriptions are legible and by performing a
complete drug utilization review at the point of care to check for
potentially dangerous drug interactions and allergies, thus reducing
the risk of patient harm. TouchWorks Rx+ can be deployed using a
handheld device (PDA) or Tablet PC connected to a wireless radio
frequency network or on a web-based workstation as an integrated
hybrid solution. TouchWorks Rx+ learns the physician’s behavior and
provides access to plan-specific formularies–increasing the
efficiency of the prescribing process and reducing the number of
pharmacy callbacks, saving time for physicians and support staff. The
software also enables viewing and printing of patient drug education
to enhance patient communication regarding medications.
About ConnectiCare
ConnectiCare is a Connecticut-based managed care company serving
nearly 270,000 members through its affiliates, ConnectiCare, Inc.;
ConnectiCare of Massachusetts, Inc.; ConnectiCare of New York, Inc.;
and ConnectiCare Insurance Company, Inc. ConnectiCare, Inc. holds an
“Excellent” Accreditation rating from the National Committee for
Quality Assurance (NCQA) for its commercial employer group plans and a
3-year member-oriented accreditation for its in-house asthma,
diabetes, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure and
maternity health management programs. For more information on
ConnectiCare visit www.connecticare.com.
About Allscripts Healthcare Solutions
Allscripts Healthcare Solutions (AHS) is the leading provider of
clinical software, connectivity and information solutions that
physicians use to improve healthcare. 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; Hewlett-Packard Company; 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 2003
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 Contacts:
Dan Michelson
Chief Market Officer
847-680-3515, Ext. 4330
dan.michelson@allscripts.com
OR
Paul Peterson
Senior Marketing Manager
847-680-3515, Ext. 4475
paul.peterson@allscripts.com
SOURCE: Allscripts Healthcare Solutions