CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Feb. 10, 2005–Allscripts Healthcare
Solutions (Nasdaq:MDRX), the leading provider of clinical software and
information solutions that physicians use to improve healthcare,
announced today that Midwest Physician Group (MPG), the largest
physician-owned multi-specialty group practice in the south suburban
Chicago area, will implement the TouchWorks(TM) electronic health
record (EHR) for use by its more than 90 physicians. TouchWorks will
enable physicians at all nine MPG facilities to instantly read, edit
and share with other providers up-to-date clinical information on
patients.
“TouchWorks will give Midwest Physician Group a state-of-the-art
clinical information solution that will help our physicians spend less
time on administrative tasks and more time providing care for our
patients,” said Deborah Nelson, Chief Executive Officer of MPG. “We
spent a good 18 months looking for the right EHR, and in the end it
was Allscripts’ focus on enabling the highest possible quality of care
and their long track record implementing successful EHRs in
multi-specialty group practices that convinced us TouchWorks was the
best solution out there.”
TouchWorks reduces or eliminates the need for paper records and
enhances physician productivity by automating the most common
physician activities, including prescribing medications, ordering lab
tests, viewing test results, and documenting clinical encounters. The
award-winning EHR also offers enhanced patient safety measures such as
automated clinical practice guidelines and alerts that warn physicians
of potentially dangerous drug interactions.
While patient care and physician productivity were major factors
in MPG’s decision to go to a full EHR, Nelson said financial
considerations also were key. The cost of storing and handling
thousands of paper medical charts was rising, and the sheer volume of
records tied up valuable space that could otherwise be used for
revenue producing initiatives such as providing additional diagnostic
services. The group wanted instant access to information for all of
their physicians amongst their nine sites.
“TouchWorks will help us do away with the paper chart, free up
more space for diagnostic services, and communicate better amongst our
physicians so we can provide even better care to our patients,” said,
Nelson, whose goal is to make MPG entirely paperless. “The EHR will
also assist us in educating patients and help us with chronic disease
management and preventative care. For example, TouchWorks will
automatically tell us when a diabetic patient hasn’t had their eyes
tested recently, and then send out a reminder form to assure they get
the test.”
MPG expects to roll out the TouchWorks EHR to all 90 of its
physicians this spring, Nelson said. “We already have a lot of
physicians that are raising their hands, saying ‘I want to be first in
line,'” she said. “So we know we’re heading in the right direction.”
“Midwest Physician Group is known as one of the best managed group
practices in the Chicago area and has consistently demonstrated a
commitment to placing the patient’s interest first,” said Glen
Tullman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Allscripts Healthcare
Solutions. “We look forward to helping MPG take their operations to
the next level in terms of the quality and efficiency of care they
provide, as they extend the definition of care to include an
innovative focus on preventive care, care management and wellness, all
using our automated tools to assist in the process.”
MPG will integrate the TouchWorks EHR with the medical group’s IDX
Flowcast(TM) revenue cycle management solution from IDX Systems
Corporation.
About Midwest Physician Group
The Midwest Physician Group (MPG) is the largest physician-owned
multi-specialty physician group practice in the south suburban Chicago
area. MPG has nine locations and has been incorporated for over 20
years. MPG has a long tradition of excellent patient service in the
community. Its members are recognized as compassionate physician
experts in their fields. Visit MPG on the Web at www.mpcdoc.com.
About Allscripts Healthcare Solutions
Allscripts Healthcare Solutions (Allscripts) is the leading
provider of clinical software, connectivity and information solutions
that physicians use to improve healthcare. The Company’s TouchWorks
software is a modular Electronic Health Record (EHR) 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. Allscripts also offers electronic document imaging and
scanning solutions through its Advanced Imaging Concepts (AIC)
subsidiary. Additionally, Allscripts 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 Allscripts on the Web at
www.allscripts.com.
Strategic partners include IDX Systems, IMS Health, 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
Dan Michelson, 312-506-1317
dan.michelson@allscripts.com
SOURCE: Allscripts Healthcare Solutions