Proven EHR technology based on an open source platform will streamline documentation and improve patient care for the state-wide behavioral health facility
JUNO BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey–University Behavioral HealthCare (UBHC) today announced that it has selected Document Storage Systems, Inc. (DSS) to provide the vxVistA electronic health records (EHR) system and integrated clinical mental health technology in addition to other modules that will enhance the performance of vxVistA.
The applications, which will be used by more than 600 members of the clinical staff in 11 locations, will streamline the behavioral health organization’s clinical documentation processes and related workflow, helping to further improve the quality of care given to patients.
“We are excited about this new partnership and the chance to implement a robust EHR in our facilities that has the ability to meet the specific requirements of a behavioral health setting,” said Chris Kosseff, CEO of UBHC. “By leveraging this proven platform, we join a collaborative group of VistA users working to enhance and create new technology that our organization and others in a variety of healthcare settings can use to improve the quality of care.”
Through the partnership, UBHC will rollout vxVistA, based on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs proven VistA EHR foundation, to all clinical staff in the organization. Providing behavioral health services to New Jersey residents of all ages, UBHC will also implement the vxMental Health Suite, which is designed to meet the specific needs of mental health providers and their patients by enabling clinicians to create, edit and view inter-disciplinary mental health treatment plans electronically while meeting governing organization standards.
DSS was selected by UBHC’s review committee during an open bid process. As an early adopter of EHRs, UBHC wanted to find a system that was based on an open source platform, offered scalability to accommodate its large number of users and provided an advanced, fully integrated mental health module.
“UBHC’s selection of vxVistA signifies the momentum behind these open source EHRs and the importance of collaborative solutions in the behavioral health sector,” said Mark Byers, president and CEO of DSS, Inc. “We look forward to seeing the innovations and developments that UBHC is able to contribute as it works to further enhance the VistA platform.”
The organization has also selected the following modules, all of which are integrated with vxVistA for a seamless flow of information between systems and users:
- vxRelease of Information, an automated system for managing electronic medical records release of information requests from the vxVistA database;
- vxDocument Manager, a document scanning and imaging system that allows users to scan a variety of documents and electronically link them to patient records; and
- vxClinical Notes Templates, a library of more than 250 note writing tools for providers in numerous specialties.
“We look forward to developing and commenting on new and unique applications of vxVistA that other organizations can use to support mental healthcare across the country,” Kosseff said. “The behavioral health industry needs a system that can capture necessary and vital information so that quality of care and patient experiences can continue to improve — and we at UBHC hope to contribute to those efforts.”
About DSS, Inc.
DSS, Inc., a 25-year-old company, develops and supplies integrated enhancements to the Veterans Affairs VistA system and specializes in healthcare IT solutions that improve quality and productivity. The organization also designs applications that are compatible with the Indian Health Services RPMS and the Department of Defense’s healthcare systems.
DSS released vxVistA this fall as open source under the Eclipse Public License (www.openhealthtools.org) to meet the needs of non-VA users. The company also offers add-on products including behavioral health, clinical decision support, dental electronic records, document imaging and revenue cycle solutions. To foster the adoption of open source in healthcare organizations, DSS is a founder and supporter of a community-driven, collaboration environment Web site, www.vxVistA.org, that acts as a forum for discussion and best practices among open source vxVistA and VistA EHR users internationally. For more information on DSS, Inc., visit www.dssinc.com.
About University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) – University Behavioral HealthCare
UMDNJ-University Behavioral HealthCare (UBHC) is the integrated behavioral healthcare system of the UMDNJ. In partnership with the Departments of Psychiatry at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, The New Jersey Medical School and the School of Osteopathic Medicine, UBHC provides academically-based clinical mental health programs and services throughout the State of New Jersey. UBHC has a 48 bed inpatient facility, with 10 offsite outpatient locations, staffed by 50 full-time attending psychiatrists who are also faculty members of either Robert Wood Johnson Medical School or The New Jersey Medical School. University Behavioral HealthCare annually has 1,300 admissions, 155,000 outpatient visits (including Partial Hospitalization and Emergency Department visits) and 50,000 community based services.
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