EHR System targets community-based oncology practices.
June 23, 2009 -
Providing physicians with online access to patient records 24/7, iKnowMed(TM) Electronic Health Record System allows treatment decisions to be made from anywhere at any time, without need of hardcopy patient record. System detects possible medication conflicts, generating safety alert to attending oncologist and staff. Program also helps practices stay current on billing as charge codes, billable units, primary diagnosis codes, and billable drug waste for each visit are calculated.
US Oncology Launches Oncology-Specific EHR to the Open Market
iKnowMed now available to community-based oncology practices
HOUSTON, June 10 /-- Today US Oncology, Inc., supporting the nation's foremost cancer treatment and research network and working with physicians, manufacturers and payers to advance cancer care in America, announces the launch of iKnowMed(TM) to the open market. iKnowMed is an oncology-specific electronic health record (EHR) system designed by oncologists for oncologists.
Developed in 1996, US Oncology acquired iKnowMed in 2004. The comprehensive collaboration between the oncology physicians since the acquisition has led to a technology excellence that is completely focused on the needs of community oncologists and their patients.
Today's iKnowMed goes beyond delivering standard EHR features by leveraging technology that helps physicians focus on clinical excellence and cost effectiveness in community cancer care. iKnowMed facilitates access to powerful new solutions such as US Oncology's Innovent Oncology program, which provides Level I evidence-based medicine pathways to help oncologists realize the benefits of pay-for-performance. For practices participating in the US Oncology Research network, iKnowMed can match patients to appropriate clinical trials, increasing access to the latest treatment opportunities across the nation.
Other features of iKnowMed include oncology-specific terminology, decision support, outcomes reporting, imaging reports, comprehensive patient history, comprehensive cancer regimen library, dictation and transcription, lab results, detailed cancer diagnosis and staging content, and practice efficiencies.
"As America's healthcare system moves toward a pay-for-performance environment, in which higher-performing doctors receive preferred compensation, it is essential that oncology practices accurately document and report outcomes while achieving greater efficiency," says Cindy Chavez, vice president of iKnowMed. "iKnowMed provides solutions that will help drive this clinical excellence."
"We're excited about the opportunity to offer our electronic health record system to the open market," says Bruce Broussard, president and CEO of US Oncology. "With the recent signing of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which offers incentives to physicians for the meaningful use of health technology, we are proud to offer oncologists an EHR solution that is specifically designed to meet their needs."
iKnowMed provides physicians with online access to patient records 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This allows treatment decisions to be made from anywhere at any time, without the need of a hardcopy patient record. Patient safety is enhanced by eliminating handwritten notes and orders, minimizing misinterpretations, and the system detects possible medication conflicts, generating a safety alert to the attending oncologist and staff. The system also helps practices stay current on billing as charge codes, billable units, primary diagnosis codes and billable drug waste for each visit are calculated, allowing staff to spend more time focusing on patient care.
Community oncologists across the nation are invited to attend a special webinar focusing on the Medicare Health Information Technology (HIT) Stimulus at 2 pm EDT, Friday, July 10. Sponsored by iKnowMed, this webinar will feature a status report of standards for qualified EHRs and meaningful use requirements -- as defined by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONCHIT) at the Secretariat of Health & Human Services (HHS) -- how standards should be set, and which standards should apply to oncology-specific EHRs. To register for the webinar, visit www.opspharmacist.com/HITStimulus. For more information on iKnowMed or other US Oncology services, call (866) 216-5053 or visit www.usoncology.com.
About US Oncology
US Oncology, Inc., headquartered in the Houston area, works closely with physicians, payers, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical equipment manufacturers, to identify and deliver innovative services that enhance patient access to advanced cancer care. US Oncology supports one of the nation's foremost cancer treatment and research networks, accelerating the availability and use of evidence-based medicine and shared best practices.
US Oncology uses its expertise to support every aspect of the cancer care delivery system--from drug development to distribution and outcomes measurement--enabling the company to help increase the efficiency and safety of cancer care. According to the company's last quarterly earnings report, US Oncology is affiliated with 1,227 physicians operating in 468 locations, including 95 radiation oncology facilities in 39 states. For more information, visit the company's Web site, www.usoncology.com.
CONTACT: Jennifer Horspool of US Oncology, Inc., +1-281-863-6739, Jennifer.Horspool@usoncology.com
General Information:
Jennifer Horspool
USA
Phone: 281-863-6739 E-mail this person Company Information: Name: US Oncology Address: 16825 Northchase Drive Suite 1300 City: Houston, State: TX ZIP: 77060 Country: USA Phone: 832-601-8766 http://www.usoncology.com/
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