News

The use of clinical decision support (CDS) to elevate patient care is a solid strategy in any healthcare environment. And while the benefits of decision-support tools are expected to be far reaching across the patient-care continuum, there are likely no areas more primed for realizing their potential than critical care.

Health Management Technology»

Waltham, Mass. (December 7, 2011) – Building on the success of its debut mobile application, UpToDate, a Wolters Kluwer Health company, has released a downloadable local version of its iPhone App, UpToDate MobileComplete. The fastest mobile version of UpToDate, MobileComplete provides clinicians with access to evidence-based, practical recommendations — even offline, where there is no network connection (Wi-Fi connection required for initial download and new version updates).

Standardization of care and adoption of evidence-based medicine into clinical practice are two central tenets of meaningful use of EHRs. At Sibley Memorial Hospital, we have found the integration of evidence-based order sets with the EHR for point-of-care access as one way to accomplish these goals.

CMIO»

ORLANDO, Fla. – (Dec. 5, 2011) – Avatar International, a leading healthcare quality improvement firm, announced today its acquisition of HR Solutions International, Inc., a human capital management consulting firm specializing in employee and physician engagement. The acquisition, terms of which were not disclosed, furthers Avatar’s strategic position as a comprehensive provider of patient experience solutions to hospitals, health systems and other healthcare organizations.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – (Nov. 28, 2011) – Heat Biologics, a clinical-stage immunotherapy company, announces two senior executive appointments: Sandra Silberman, M.D., PhD, as chief medical advisor and Jennifer Harris, PharmD, as senior director of clinical development. Dr. Silberman was also named to Heat’s Scientific Advisory Board, which advises the company on current and future research and clinical testing.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – November 28, 2011 – Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading global provider of information for healthcare professionals and students, announced today that Northern California Surgery Center has selected its ProVation® EHR documentation and patient charting solution.

Responding to concerns that its original regulations stymied reform efforts, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) made a number of concessions in its final Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) rules. Nonetheless, many organizations remain hesitant about entering the ACO fray and continue weighing the pros and cons of setting up the infrastructure demanded by CMS.

Government Health IT»

Waltham, Mass. (November 16, 2011) —New research published today in the Journal of Hospital Medicine Early View found that hospitals using Wolters Kluwer Health’s UpToDate—an evidence-based, physician-authored clinical knowledge system which clinicians trust to make the right point-of-care decisions—experienced shortened hospital stays, fewer deaths, and better quality performance than non-UpToDate hospitals. The study (Isaac T, Zheng J, Ashish J. Use of UpToDate and Outcomes in US Hospitals. J Hosp Med. 2011; DOI 10.1002/jhm.944) reinforces other research studies conducted about how UpToDate improves patient outcomes.

LAKELAND, Fla., Nov. 10, 2011 – First Service Administrators, Inc. (FSAI) announced an agreement with Aetna to offer FSAI clients access to Aetna’s products and services. FSAI is a premier benefits and risk management administrator for hospitals, healthcare systems, and public entities. Aetna offers a broad range of health insurance products and related services to employer groups, individuals, health plans, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, and labor groups.

Twenty-seven billion dollars in potential incentive payments would make any industry take action. When coupled with steep future penalties for noncompliance, the stakes for achieving meaningful use (MU) go even higher.

For the Record»

TAMPA, Fla. – (Nov. 9, 2011) – Doctors Administrative Solutions (DAS) has been named a finalist for the 2011 Tampa Bay Business Journal Ultimate Management Teams award. The award recognizes the achievements of the best and the brightest business executive management teams across a variety of industry sectors, businesses and organizations.

Waltham, Mass. (Nov. 9, 2011) — UpToDate®, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health, announces the addition of General Surgery to its clinical knowledge system. Subscribers to UpToDate can now access clinical information and evidence-based recommendations in 19 specialties.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN —Nov. 8, 2011 — Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading global provider of information for healthcare professionals and students, announced today that the new University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro has selected its ProVation® MD software for gastroenterology procedure documentation and coding.

Waltham, Mass. (Nov. 4, 2011) — UpToDate, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health, announced today the release of a new Japanese-language search and navigation feature that allows Japanese users to enter queries and review results in their native language. Streamlining the search and navigation process with this feature ultimately will enhance use of the product by Japanese-speaking clinicians.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN –Nov. 2, 2011 – Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading global provider of information for healthcare professionals and students, announced today that Houston Healthcare has selected ProVation® Order Sets, powered by UpToDate® Decision Support, as the electronic order set solution at Houston Medical Center and Perry Hospital.