SKANEATELES FALLS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Welch Allyn, a leading global provider of frontline medical products and solutions, today announced it has signed agreements to provide its EHR Prep-Select services to the New Jersey Health Information Technology Extension Center (NJ-HITEC) and Chicago Health Information Technology Regional Extension Center (CHITREC). The program will be used to provide members of these organizations with a unique service designed to ease the process of preparing for and selecting an electronic health record (EHR) system.
NJ-HITEC is the Regional Extension Center (REC) for the state of New Jersey and provides coordinated access and delivery of technology services to more than 3,900 members. It is a federally recognized REC program funded through the 2009 American Reinvestment and Recovery Act and established by the New Jersey Institute of Technology. CHITREC is a partnership among Northwestern University, the Alliance of Chicago Community Health Services and more than 40 local and national collaborators focused on HIT adoption and those who serve the uninsured and medically underserved within the city of Chicago.
NJ-HITEC and CHITREC consultants and registered members will be introduced to the EHR Prep-Select tool, customized for the two RECs by Welch Allyn. The program systematically guides physician practices through the complex EHR preparation and selection process by offering an optimal mix of expert consulting, an easy-to-follow, 10-step project plan, and an intuitive online tool that addresses the challenges associated with selecting an EHR vendor. It also provides RECs with a standard, streamlined and scalable program for delivering EHR adoption services.
“Preparing for and selecting an EHR is a complex process full of unknown twists and turns,” said Jay Mangicaro, senior global category manager, Professional Services, at Welch Allyn. “The process is even more challenging for small primary care practices that are the focus of Regional Extension Center EHR adoption efforts. The Welch Allyn EHR Preparation and Selection program offers a proven, step-by-step, Web-based solution for this difficult project. By partnering with Welch Allyn for the customized EHR Prep-Select tool, NJ-HITEC and CHITREC are able to not only provide primary care and specialty practices with this valuable selection service, but ultimately it will leverage NJ-HITEC and CHITREC staff to help more practices achieve ‘meaningful use’ requirements and secure HITECH stimulus incentives.”
Welch Allyn will be collaborating with NJ-HITEC and CHITREC on several marketing initiatives to introduce and educate members on the value of the EHR Prep-Select Service.
“The efficient delivery of quality patient care is the clinician’s priority, but selecting the right EHR for the provider is a major undertaking,” said Pamela Kathuria, deputy executive director of NJ-HITEC. “The EHR Prep-Select program delivered by our staff is designed to educate the practice and to empower the providers to help them make a thoroughly informed decision on the EHR solution that meets their practice-specific requirements.”
“CHITREC is focused on addressing our clients’ healthcare information technology needs while continually seeking opportunities to optimize the service delivery process for our consulting team,” said Abel Kho, MD, co-executive director of CHITREC. “Through our partnership with Welch Allyn and its EHR Prep-Select program, our clients have access to a comprehensive tool that will help them successfully navigate EHR preparation, selection and business process transformation.”
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.
About the New Jersey Health Information Technology Extension Center
The New Jersey Health Information Technology Extension Center (NJ-HITEC) is a federally recognized Regional Extension Center (REC) program funded through the 2009 American Reinvestment and Recovery Act and established by the New Jersey Institute of Technology. In coordination with state efforts, NJ-HITEC fully supports the effective implementation of the New Jersey Health Information Technology Plan. NJ-HITEC’s service offerings include education and training activities; membership in the regional extension center; assessment of current office practices, workflows and technical capabilities, recommendations of appropriate EHR solutions that meet end-user–specific needs, coordination of services to implement, adopt, and use new technologies appropriately; and the assurance that every member of the REC can meaningfully use these systems. More information may be found at www.njhitec.org.
About the Chicago Health Information Technology Regional Extension Center
The Chicago Health Information Technology Regional Extension Center (CHITREC) is a partnership among Northwestern University, the Alliance of Chicago Community Health Services and more than 40 local and national collaborators focused on HIT adoption and use needs within the city of Chicago. CHITREC is a local service organization, specifically serving the 606xx zip code region in Chicago, and provides a range of services to primary care providers interested in achieving meaningful use of EHRs. More information may be found at www.chitrec.org.