STATESVILLE, N.C. & 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
Piedmont HealthCare, P.A., will implement the full TouchWorks(TM) EMR
(electronic medical record) for 88 physicians across 35 locations. The
largest physician-owned, multi-specialty group in the Charlotte, NC,
region, Piedmont will begin installation immediately by training all
physicians on the document management and digital imaging
functionality of the full EMR, and then implement additional
functionality at the physicians’ pace.
With multiple locations throughout Iredell and surrounding
counties, Piedmont physicians will use the TouchWorks EMR to provide a
centralized electronic chart for all patients. Leveraging the
Internet-based architecture of TouchWorks, physicians will have
instant access to patient data from any clinic or even from home via a
secure Internet connection. Over time, the EMR solution will provide
other benefits including access to office-based patient data in the
hospital, increased patient safety and reduced transcription cost
while improving patient workflow and overall efficiencies.
“By automating our patient charts with TouchWorks, Piedmont
physicians will have complete and ready access to the most current
patient information, providing our physicians the best available data
at the point of care,” said Charlie Powell, Chief Operating Officer of
Piedmont HealthCare, P.A. “Using the TouchWorks modular implementation
methodology, we expect to deploy the system in an efficient, planned
and timely manner so the physicians can begin reaping the benefits of
automation for their patients and the practice.”
Piedmont will implement the TouchWorks solution using the EMR’s
unique modular strategy. As opposed to the traditional, monolithic
EMR, the TouchWorks solution provides the option to use a stepwise, or
modular, approach to implementation. This process makes it easier for
physicians to learn, adopt, and ultimately utilize the solution.
“A successful EMR requires physician utilization, and the key to
physician utilization is gaining initial adoption from, and focusing
on, the benefits to the physician,” noted Glen Tullman, Chief
Executive Officer of Allscripts Healthcare Solutions. “Additionally,
our existing integration with their IDX practice management system
will help Piedmont get started on their pathway to paperless
operations even faster.”
Piedmont will integrate the TouchWorks EMR with their existing
Groupcast practice management solution from IDX Systems Corporation
(Nasdaq:IDXC). Groupcast is the leading provider of patient
management, financial management, and decision support solutions for
mid- to larger-size group medical practices and physician service
organizations. Through a strategic partnership between AHS and IDX,
TouchWorks offers robust integration between clinical automation and
practice management, benefiting the physicians and patients of
Piedmont.
About Piedmont HealthCare, P.A.
Piedmont HealthCare, P.A. (PHC) is the largest independent,
physician-owned multi-specialty physician group in the Charlotte, NC,
region providing medical care with over 120 physicians and physician
extenders at 35 locations in over 20 specialties with support from
advanced diagnostic imaging and laboratory services. Physicians and
other providers of PHC have literally come from all over the world to
provide the very best health care possible to families and businesses
in the Region. PHC physicians are engaged in the governance and
management of the organization with the mission To Provide Excellent
Medical Care. Visit PHC on the Web at www.piedmonthealthcare.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; 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
Dan Michelson, 847-680-3515, Ext. 4330
dan.michelson@allscripts.com
or
Paul Peterson, 847-680-3515, Ext. 4475
paul.peterson@allscripts.com
SOURCE: Allscripts Healthcare Solutions