DR Systems’ certified complete EHR enables Cottage Health System to successfully attest to meaningful use for radiologists
Cottage Health System Successfully Attests for Meaningful Use Stage 1
DR Systems, Inc.Angelina Haratyk, 858-625-3344 x 2290orCottage Health SystemAlberto Kywi, 805-682-7111
DR Systems, one of the most respected names in enterprise medical imaging information systems (RIS, CVIS, PACS) and the by ®, announced today that radiologists contracting with its customer , in Santa Barbara, California have received nearly $200,000 in federal incentive payments for completing in 2012. Cottage Health System implemented DR Systems’ cloud-based ambulatory in September 2012 and enabled 11 radiologists to successfully attest. Stage 1 Meaningful Use is the first phase of the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Program which requires hospitals and eligible professionals to “meaningfully use” a certified electronic health record system by meeting a number of objectives.
Cottage Health System recognizes the significant benefits of radiologists having relevant clinical information and the ability to improve patient care with meaningful use. The hospital collaborated closely with its radiology group and DR Systems to implement the and ensure meaningful use objectives were met.
“Having the patient’s clinical problem list and smoking history available via a single click from the PACS digital requisition is very powerful clinically,” Michael Trambert, M.D., a radiologist at Cottage Health System, commented. At the request of Dr. Trambert, DR Systems enhanced the eHR system to capture and provide access to this information for all patients, including inpatients and ER patients. “We now have this information available to us for all patients, which at times is very valuable clinically. This is truly meaningful use!”
Along with Dr. Trambert, Dr. Kambrie Kato, a radiology resident at Cottage Hospital, and Alberto Kywi, CIO at Cottage Health System, have submitted a scientific abstract about this experience for the 2013 annual meeting of the .
DR Systems provides a cloud-based, that radiologists have successfully deployed to achieve meaningful use compliance and engage their patients in manners vital to the long-term success of the radiology profession. , a personal health network for patients to communicate and collaborate with their healthcare providers, family and friends, comes integrated with the eHR System and promotes compliance with requirements. Hospitals and imaging centers can collect pre-visit information online and provide post-visit summaries and follow up to patients’ life-long personal health management.
Dr. Trambert added, “As a radiologist, I realize that it's never been more critical for me than now to engage my patients. The future of radiology depends on patients understanding and appreciating radiology and radiologists. That will require new patient-directed communication tools. Health Companion allows us to engage our patients in a meaningful way and promote better health management for their entire family.”
The and , when implemented properly, can be funded by the EHR Incentive Program, with money left over for other projects at the imaging center or hospital. The EHR Incentive Program provides a one-time opportunity to fund the precise technology needed to increase radiology’s relevancy to patients and referring physicians.
was formed in 1996 as the not-for-profit parent organization of Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital (including Cottage Children’s Hospital and Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital), Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital, and Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospitals. Cottage Health System is guided by a volunteer board of directors from the greater Santa Barbara community and provides the residents of the Central and South Coast with exemplary health care, continuous improvements in medical practice, and a commitment to our communities.
For more information on Cottage Health System, call 805-682-7111 or visit .
is the leading independent provider of enterprise imaging and information management systems for integrated healthcare networks, hospitals, and diagnostic imaging centers. Over two decades, the company has helped more than 600 hospitals and imaging centers lower their cost of operation by improving management of patient information, eliminating ancillary IT systems and interfaces, and increasing workflow speed, while also providing better clinical quality and patient care.
has recognized DR Systems and its Unity™ PACS as the #1 ranked PACS vendor and product in its report. The company received the #1 overall PACS vendor ranking in , , , , as well as .
For more information, call 800-794-5955 or visit .