18 Oct GE Healthcare launches hybrid electronic record
Waukesha, Wis. – Electronic health record systems generally are perceived to have the potential to improve healthcare quality. As more and more clinics consider moving from paper charts to EHR systems, manufacturers and solutions providers have been lowering the barriers to entry.
The evolution of systems for ease of use, direct integration into workflow, and more robust data security has prompted more hospitals and clinics to make investments in digitalization.
And although many hospitals and clinics need more time, medical device giants continue to refine the technology. The information technology division of GE Healthcare recently launched one such product that rolls emergency medical record and financial applications into one.
The combined technology will be on display at the Medical Group Management Association 2006 conference in Las Vegas on October 22 through 25.
A recent MGMA study estimated that 75 percent of medical practices still are paper-based. GE asserts that its EMR applications and practice management tools on a single database could make healthcare operations more efficient and dynamic.
Hybrid tool
GE’s EMR product is designed to enable ambulatory-care physicians and clinical staff to document patient encounters and exchange data with other providers, patients, and information systems. The financial side offers document management, decision support, and connectivity.
GE’s approach is designed to provide clinical decision support and financial capabilities with billing, reimbursement, and evidence-based clinical guidelines. In addition, its tracking, measuring, and reporting functions measure quality outcomes against national standards with the goal of helping healthcare organizations keep up with pay-for-performance programs.
The integrated tool, which is being deployed at Southern Colorado Clinic, is part of a GE Healthcare strategic initiative to provide clinical data “at the point of care, while also providing the tools to improve productivity and accelerate the revenue cycle [of hospitals and clinics],” Stephen Gorman, VP and general manager for GE Healthcare Integrated IT Solutions, said in a release.
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