DR Systems, one of the most respected names in healthcare information systems, will be exhibiting its e|HR for Meaningful Use solution -- a cloud-based, complete certified electronic health record -- at RSNA 2012.

The DR Systems EHR (electronic healthcare record) is designed to qualify radiologists and other hospital specialists such as anesthesiologists for the maximum federal incentive payments available for meaningful use (MU) compliance supporting the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) goals for improved and efficient patient care.

An estimated 90% of radiologists are eligible for incentive payments from the CMS, according to the American College of Radiology. Radiologists will have to qualify before October 1, 2013 to earn the maximum bonus of $39,000, however. Radiologists who do not comply with meaningful use will be penalized with lower reimbursements from CMS.

“This is one of the only solutions available for meaningful use (MU) compliance for radiologists and other specialists who do not control their information systems in hospitals and imaging centers. If you are a radiologist who thinks you can’t comply with meaningful use because you don’t own your imaging environment, think again,” said Murray A. Reicher, MD, FACR, Chairman of DR Systems.

DR Systems has enrolled more anesthesiologists in its MU compliance program than all other vendors combined, Dr. Reicher said, adding: “Like radiologists, anesthesiologists thought they were left out of MU, but now they are adopting our eHR because they see an easy, affordable route to MU compliance, while gaining a tool for far better patient engagement.”

Benefits of the EHR, which will be demonstrated at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, include:

• Vendor-neutral, offering plug-in options or standalone. The eHR for Meaningful Use can be used as a web-service plug-in to any existing HIS, RIS, CVIS, or PACS. The MU Imaging EHR can also be used as a standalone system.
• Interoperability for efficient data aggregation. The eHR for Meaningful Use's cloud-based design enables radiologists who work at multiple locations to easily aggregate their data, a requirement for reporting to CMS.
• Single Radiology-centric solution. The eHR for Meaningful Use is customized for a medical imaging professional’s workflow and does not require aggregating data from other certified modules.
• Complete and low cost. Because the eHR for Meaningful Use is cloud-based and requires no dedicated hardware, it can be efficiently deployed by both individuals and large group practices.

DR Systems will be demonstrating the eHR for Meaningful Use at Booth #6222 in South Building, Hall A. RSNA 2012 will be held Nov. 25 – Nov. 30 at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago.

To qualify for bonuses and avoid penalties, a radiology practice must implement a complete ambulatory EHR or its equivalent – that is, a collection of modules that in total meet the technical requirements of a complete system.

Thus, radiologists could attempt to meet the MU requirements by upgrading their existing installed systems. But this approach is time-consuming and requires substantial investments in both hardware and software. Interoperability will be a challenge if data aggregation from multiple locations is needed.

“Our EHR approach is designed to address every aspect of the challenge in the most efficient way possible, while also improving the practice of radiology and patient care,” said Reicher. “This last point is crucial. Even though the meaningful use bonuses are substantial, they wouldn't be worth it if meeting the requirements were too expensive or slowed down a radiology practice's workflow.”

The EHR from DR Systems is 2011/2012 compliant in accordance with criteria adopted by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. This certification is the official designation necessary for the EHR to enable providers to qualify for funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

About DR Systems, Inc.

DR Systems 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.

KLAS® has recognized DR Systems and its Unity™ PACS as the #1 ranked PACS vendor and product in its “2011: Best in KLAS Awards – Software & Services Report.” The company received the #1 overall PACS vendor ranking in 2001, 2006, 2007, 2010, as well as 2011.

For more information, call 800-794-5955 or visit www.drsys.com.