GERMANTOWN, Md., Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Universata, Inc. today announced the successful deployment and industry availability of its new release of information (ROI) service and electronic medical record exchange solution -- eMRX(TM). Highlights of the ROI-based health information exchange include improved patient privacy and faster turnaround for release of information. Its self-financing model complements any electronic health record strategy and creates a secure, non-invasive foundation for regional health information organizations and their communities.
Inova Fairfax Hospital is one of Universata's first implementations of the Internet-based, ROI service. Universata, who partnered with Inova Fairfax in May of 2005, recently expanded their services and now processes a large portion of Fairfax's central business office requests. The company also processes another two hundred requests every day for third parties such as patients, physician offices and attorneys.
"We weren't satisfied with the traditional ROI service and technology offerings. In this time of advanced web technology and information exchanges, we wanted a company who could proactively manage the release function while also positioning us for the future," said Jennifer Shearer, RHIA, former Senior Director of Health Information Management at Inova. Ms. Shearer currently serves as an independent consultant for the organization. "We needed a reliable and secure option that would be compatible with our electronic medical record plans and found it with Universata. The company is customer- focused, flexible, accommodating, and a refreshing alternative in today's ROI market."
Exchange Experts with Medical Record Know-How Deliver Fastest Turnaround
Times in Industry
The George Washington University Hospital (GWUH) in Washington, D.C., also uses Universata to process requests for the organization's central business office located in Richmond, Virginia - over one hundred miles away. "Universata is a partnership between state of the art technology and confirmed expertise in HIPAA regulatory requirements," comments Paulette Smith, RHIA, Director of Health Information Management. "I am far more relaxed and confident knowing Universata is providing release of information services for our hospitals," she concludes.
The system also gives Smith and her counterpart, John Goss, Director -- Atlantic Region Central Business Office (CBO), Universal Health Services, Inc. more control with the ability to see the status of requests at any time via the Internet. By using a partial self-service model, request turnaround times for the CBO have been reduced by sixty-six percent from three weeks to a few days, and sometimes a few minutes.
Finally, the system helps GWUH achieve regional connectivity. "Many hospitals are joining regional health information organizations, or RHIOs," comments Mark Ferrel, President and Chief Executive Officer for Universata. Recent surveys confirm that over one hundred health information exchange initiatives are currently underway nationwide. "As these organizations form, they are looking for affordable, non-invasive ways to exchange information with each other and with their communities," concludes Ferrel. Universata does just that.
When Everyone Wants a Piece of the Medical Record -- eMRX
By combining the latest in connectivity, storage and exchange technologies, Universata's core application, PHI-nd IT(TM) (pronounced "find it") simply goes out and locates the information it needs from existing systems. eMRX stores the information and creates a secure platform for other users to view and share the retrieved records. The source record is maintained within the healthcare organization's core information systems. IT Departments have no new system to install or support and there is virtually no operational impact. Finally, the applications work with paper-based, electronic or hybrid records.
About Universata
Founded in September 2000 by a group of business and IT professionals, Universata developed its unique healthcare exchange model based upon knowledge gained from similar industries. Its extensive heritage includes integration, software, database expertise and online exchange engines for financial services, government, higher education and healthcare. Universata is focused on improved patient privacy and faster turnaround for release of information. Its self-financing model complements any electronic health record strategy and creates a secure, non-invasive foundation for regional health information organizations and their communities. For more information about Universata, visit their website at: http://www.Universata.com
Universata, Inc.CONTACT: Mike Holland, Principal and Chief Revenue Officer of Universata,Inc., +1-888-364-0540, mike.holland@universata.com; or Beth Friedman, RHIT,President of The Friedman Marketing Group, +1-770-335-8570,beth.friedman@tfmgcom.com
Web site: http://www.Universata.com/
