Skaneateles Falls, NY, USA, June 7, 2011–Welch Allyn, a leading manufacturer of frontline medical products and solutions, today introduced multiple enhancements to its EHR Prep-Select Program, a unique service designed to systematically guide medical practices through the process of preparing for and selecting an electronic health record (EHR) system. The updated offering now includes a new database architecture that enables the creation of discreet, customized versions of the EHR Prep-Select software tool–enabling reseller partners such as Regional Extension Centers (RECs) to offer their own co-branded EHR Prep-Select solution to sub-recipient partners and end-user physicians.
“EHR Prep-Select Version 2.0 allows RECs to customize their online EHR readiness and adoption programs to meet their specific needs,” said Jay Mangicaro, senior category manager of global professional services at Welch Allyn. “It allows them to monitor the progress of their consultants, partners and individual physician practices as they move towards system selection, implementation and meaningful use.”
Originally, the EHR Prep-Select program was sold direct to physician practices and was managed entirely by Welch Allyn with a one-size-fits-all format. Now, with the creation of a simple and intuitive partner customization dashboard, the entire EHR Prep-Select operation is handed over to RECs with Welch Allyn service experts available for consulting and technical support. A scalable consultant training and support program has also been built and successfully tested.
“Version 2.0 of EHR Prep-Select is a turnkey, Web-based EHR adoption accelerator program that empowers RECs to manage one of their most challenging service delivery tasks,” added Mangicaro. “It will help them successfully guide small primary care practices through the difficult EHR preparation and selection process.”
The Ohio Health Information Partnership , one of more than 60 designated RECs across the country that have received federal funds to assist physicians in reaching “meaningful use,” was the first to use the updated program.
“The enhancements made to HER Prep-Select have allowed us to more closely manage our EHR adoption services. Welch Allyn trained more than 60 consultants from our seven regional partners, and we were able to quickly leverage their knowledge with the efficiencies built into this intuitive online tool,” said Cathy Sonnhalter, OHIP REC implementation manager. “All of our partners and consultants are following the same standard assessment, preparation and selection process. The new built-in reporting capabilities allow us to monitor their progress resulting in more effective program utilization.”
Additional enhancements include new reporting functionality that allows RECs to track the progress of partners, consultants and practices as they move through the EHR adoption process. With these changes, in a very short period of time the centers are able to implement a proven, Web-based EHR service program that is designed specifically to meet their operational needs.
“We spent much of last year observing the EHR adoption challenges facing RECs, and have had the benefit of a proven field testing lab through one of our valued partners, the Ohio Health Information Partnership,” said Mangicaro. “We’ve made targeted adjustments in our EHR Prep-Select program to meet those challenges, and are eager to share the lessons learned with additional RECs across the country.”
About EHR Prep-Select
The Welch Allyn EHR Prep-Select program is a high-value and low-cost do-it-yourself consulting service designed to guide practices through the complex EHR preparation and selection process. The program is organized into a comprehensive 10-step project that is further broken down into nearly 40 individual assignments that are easy to manage and execute. EHR Prep-Select includes four hours of consulting
with an experienced industry expert to assist with planning and managing each practice’s selection project. Practices are also granted access to a proprietary and intuitive Web portal that contains electronic worksheets, templates, surveys and tables designed to streamline the process of capturing, analyzing and disseminating EHR project data between internal staff and EHR vendors.
About Welch Allyn
Founded in 1915 and headquartered in Skaneateles Falls, NY (USA), Welch Allyn is a leading global provider of medical diagnostic equipment and a complete range of digital and connected solutions. With 2,750 employees working in 26 different countries, Welch Allyn is a family-owned business that specializes in helping doctors, nurses, and other frontline practitioners across the globe provide the best patient care by developing innovative products, breakthrough technologies, and cutting-edge solutions that help them see more patients, detect more conditions, and improve more lives. More information about Welch Allyn and its complete line of connected products and solutions may be found at www.welchallyn.com.
