• GoHealth Urgent Care Selects Orion Health’s Rhapsody Integration Engine

    Fast-growing urgent care provider will use healthcare-focused integration engine to connect with health system partners

    NEW YORK CITY, NY – June 29, 2016 — Orion Health™ has announced today that GoHealth Urgent Care is leveraging Orion Health’s Rhapsody® Integration Engine to continue to grow and expand its geographic footprint and market reach in the urgent care space. As one of the fastest-growing urgent care companies in the nation, GoHealth Urgent Care is utilizing Rhapsody to secure seamless connectivity with its growing network of health system partners. GoHealth Urgent Care’s unique model of care delivery provides a patient-centered, technology-enabled experience that is completely integrated into the full continuum of care.

    The Rhapsody Integration Engine software platform will help accelerate and optimize integration with GoHealth Urgent Care’s expanding network of health systems and care communities. GoHealth Urgent Care partners with health systems at the forefront of care delivery innovation, including Northwell Health, New York’s largest health system; Legacy Health, the largest locally-owned nonprofit health system in the Portland-Vancouver area; and Dignity Health, one of the nation’s largest health care systems, headquartered in San Francisco. GoHealth Urgent Care currently operates 23 urgent care centers in the New York metropolitan area and 14 urgent care centers in the greater Portland, OR market. The rapidly growing company has plans for additional expansion in multiple markets, including its newest San Francisco Bay area market later this summer.
    “We selected Rhapsody because of its out-of-the-box functionality. We’ve found it to be one of the most user-friendly integration solutions on the market today,” said Dev Ashish, senior vice president of Infrastructure at GoHealth Urgent Care. “We look forward to leveraging Rhapsody to help provide pathways for future integrations as we continue to grow and expand.”

    Ashish added that Rhapsody gives GoHealth Urgent Care the ability to expand functionalities with the scalability needed for future integrations without needing to take on significant capital expense upfront. GoHealth Urgent Care chose Orion Health for their track record of success in the healthcare sector.
    “We feel privileged to be selected by GoHealth Urgent Care to help fulfill their mission of fostering a culture of care through seamlessly integrated and innovative facilities that focus on collaboration and clinical integration,” said Harish Panchal, VP of Global Sales-Integration at Orion Health. “Rhapsody achieves rapid interoperability between healthcare systems, enabling connected solutions in less time and at a lower cost. It will further enable providers at GoHealth Urgent Care’s centers with real-time access to critical patient health information at the point of care.”

    About GoHealth Urgent Care
    At GoHealth Urgent Care, they place the needs of their patients first — by providing an effortless patient experience, a welcoming culture of care and seamless integration with market-leading health systems and communities. GoHealth Urgent Care operates centers in the New York and Portland, Ore., metropolitan areas, with plans for additional expansion in multiple markets, including the San Francisco Bay area in late summer 2016. GoHealth Urgent Care’s current partners include health systems that are at the forefront of care delivery innovation, including Northwell Health (f/k/a/ North Shore-LIJ), New York’s largest health system; Legacy Health, the largest nonprofit, locally owned health system in the Portland-Vancouver area; and Dignity Health, one of the nation’s largest health care systems, headquartered in San Francisco. GoHealth Urgent Care is a d/b/a of Access Clinical Partners, LLC, a TPG Growth portfolio company. TPG Growth is the middle market and growth equity investment platform of TPG, which has approximately $78 billion of assets under management. To learn more, please visit www.gohealthUC.com.

    About Orion Health
    Orion Health is a technology company that provides solutions that enable healthcare to over 100 million patients in more than 25 countries. Its open-technology platform seamlessly integrates all forms of relevant data to deliver population health and precision medicine solutions across the entire health community. Orion Health makes healthcare information available anywhere by providing healthcare IT connectivity in every US state and in over 30 countries worldwide. With an inherent ability to interconnect a wide variety of healthcare information systems, Orion Health’s Amadeus, with the Rhapsody Integration Engine, facilitates data acquisition and aggregation within and among payer and provider organizations, accountable care organizations, governments and health information exchanges. The company employs more than 1,250 people globally and is committed to continual innovation, investing over 30 percent of total operating revenue year to date in research and development, to cement its position at the forefront of precision medicine. For more information, visit www.orionhealth.com/us and connect on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

    Media Contacts

    Marcia Rhodes
    Amendola Communications for Orion Health
    480.664.8412 ext. 15
    [email protected]    		 Katie LeChase
    Havas Formula for GoHealth Urgent Care
    Office 212-219-0321 | Cell 585-410-5199
    [email protected]
    Posted 6.29.2016

  • McKesson to Explore Strategic Alternatives for Enterprise Information Solutions

    SAN FRANCISCO,CA – June 28, 2016 — McKesson Corporation (NYSE:MCK), a leading global healthcare services and information technology company, today announced that it is exploring strategic alternatives for its Enterprise Information Solutions (EIS) business, a division of McKesson that provides core hospital information systems.

    EIS serves hospitals and health systems with software solutions, managed services, and infrastructure and hosting services to enable them to succeed through healthcare reform and beyond. The portfolio includes core solutions such as: Paragon® hospital information system; STARTM and HealthQuestTM solutions for revenue cycle management, financial and supply chain management; OneContentTM document and content management; and coding and other professional services to help maximize the total value of information technology.

    “We appreciate the critical importance of the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) and other core information systems to the success of our provider customers,” said Pat Blake, executive vice president and group president, McKesson Technology Solutions. “As we embark on building a new, EMR-agnostic technology company with Change Healthcare, we believe that it is in the best interest of our customers to identify a strategic alternative that will allow for more focus on core provider information systems. We are committed to supporting our customers as we evaluate these options, ensuring a smooth transition through this process.”

    “Exploring a new strategic path forward for Paragon, OneContent and our ERP-related businesses provides the best opportunity to accelerate our ability to meet our customers’ evolving needs,” said Nimesh Shah, president, EIS. “While we evaluate the best options, the overall priorities for EIS remain unchanged, and we will continue the many efforts we have underway to serve the long-term interests of our customers.”

    There is no assurance that this evaluation will result in any transaction being announced or consummated. McKesson will not disclose further developments during this process until its Board of Directors has approved a specific action or McKesson has otherwise determined that further disclosure is appropriate. EIS is reported as part of our McKesson Technology Solutions segment.

    In a separate announcement today, McKesson announced the formation of a new healthcare information technology company with Change Healthcare Holdings, Inc. that will include the majority of the McKesson Technology Solutions businesses.

    About McKesson Corporation
    McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 5th on the FORTUNE 500, is a healthcare services and information technology company dedicated to making the business of healthcare run better. McKesson partners with payers, hospitals, physician offices, pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies, and others across the spectrum of care to build healthier organizations that deliver better care to patients in every setting. McKesson helps its customers improve their financial, operational, and clinical performance with solutions that include pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management, healthcare information technology, and business and clinical services. For more information, visit www.mckesson.com.

    Risk Factors
    Except for historical information contained in this press release, matters discussed may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, anticipated or implied. These statements may be identified by their use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “seeks”, “approximately”, “intends”, “plans”, “estimates” or the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. The discussion of financial trends, strategy, plans or intentions may also include forward-looking statements. It is not possible to predict or identify all such risks and uncertainties; however, the most significant of these risks and uncertainties are described in the company’s Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and include, but are not limited to: changes in the US healthcare industry and regulatory environment; managing foreign expansion, including the related operating, economic, political and regulatory risks; changes in the Canadian healthcare industry and regulatory environment; exposure to European economic conditions, including recent austerity measures taken by certain European governments; changes in the European regulatory environment with respect to privacy and data protection regulations; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; the company’s ability to successfully identify, consummate, finance and integrate acquisitions; the company’s ability to manage and complete divestitures; material adverse resolution of pending legal proceedings; competition and industry consolidation; substantial defaults in payment or a material reduction in purchases by, or the loss of, a large customer or group purchasing organization; the loss of government contracts as a result of compliance or funding challenges; public health issues in the US or abroad; cyberattack, natural disaster, or malfunction of sophisticated internal computer systems to perform as designed; the adequacy of insurance to cover property loss or liability claims; the company’s failure to attract and retain customers for its software products and solutions due to integration and implementation challenges, or due to an inability to keep pace with technological advances; the company’s proprietary products and services may not be adequately protected, and its products and solutions may be found to infringe on the rights of others; system errors or failure of our technology products or services to conform to specifications; disaster or other event causing interruption of customer access to data residing in our service centers; the delay or extension of our sales or implementation cycles for external software products; changes in circumstances that could impair our goodwill or intangible assets; new or revised tax legislation or challenges to our tax positions; general economic conditions, including changes in the financial markets that may affect the availability and cost of credit to the company, its customers or suppliers; changes in accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; withdrawal from participation in multiemployer pension plans or if such plans are reported to have underfunded liabilities; inability to realize the expected benefits from the company’s restructuring and business process initiatives; difficulties with outsourcing and similar third party relationships; risks associated with the company’s retail expansion; and the company’s inability to keep existing retail store locations or open new retail locations in desirable places. The reader should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are first made. Except to the extent required by law, the company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

    PR Contact
    Investors and Financial Media:
    Craig Mercer
    415.983.8391
    [email protected]

    Posted 6.28.2016

  • McKesson & Change Healthcare to Form New Healthcare Information Technology Company

    • New entity to combine majority of McKesson Technology Solutions and Change Healthcare into separate
      company positioned to address the healthcare industry’s emerging and most pressing challenges.
    • Transaction to create new company with $3.4 billion in pro forma combined total annual revenues for the
      fiscal year ended March 31, 2016.
    • Brings together broad portfolio of complementary capabilities to deliver wide-ranging financial, operational and
      clinical benefits to payers, providers and consumers.
    • McKesson and Change Healthcare will own approximately 70% and 30%, respectively, of the new company
      and will receive cash proceeds of approximately $1.25 billion and $1.75 billion, respectively, following the
      close of the transaction.
    • The new company will be jointly governed by McKesson and Change Healthcare and is expected to generate in
      excess of $150 million in annual synergies by the second year following the close of the transaction.

    SAN FRANCISCO, CA & NASHVILLE, TN – June 28, 2016 — McKesson Corporation (MCK), a leading global healthcare services and information technology company, and Change Healthcare Holdings, Inc., a leading provider of software and analytics, network solutions and technology-enabled services, today announced the creation of a new healthcare information technology company. The entity will combine substantially all of Change Healthcare’s business and the majority of McKesson Technology Solutions (MTS) into a new company with fiscal year end March 31, 2016 pro forma combined total annual revenues of $3.4 billion.

    The new organization brings together the complementary strengths of MTS and Change Healthcare to deliver a broad portfolio of solutions that will help lower healthcare costs, improve patient access and outcomes, and make it simpler for payers, providers and consumers to manage the transition to value-based care. As a separate entity singularly focused on healthcare technology and technology-enabled services, the new organization will be positioned to better respond to customer needs and deliver next-generation innovations.

    McKesson has scheduled a conference call for today June 28, 2016, at 8:45 AM ET, to discuss the transaction. Details for the conference call are included later in this press release. For more information on the transaction, visit healthtechtransformation.com.

    “This is a bold, innovative transaction that creates a company with an enhanced ability to help customers address their increasingly complex financial and clinical challenges,” said John H. Hammergren, chairman and chief executive officer, McKesson Corporation. “The new company will establish a more efficient suite of end-to-end payment and claims solutions, as well as clinical capabilities, while unlocking the value of our MTS businesses in a tax-efficient manner. We look forward to partnering with Change Healthcare’s management team and employees to create this new enterprise and to help customers reduce complexity, lower costs and ultimately provide better care.”

    “The combination of these two entities comes at a transformational time in US healthcare,” commented Neil de Crescenzo, president and chief executive officer, Change Healthcare. “Together we will create significant value by bringing together complementary capabilities from both organizations to deliver innovative new solutions for customers, create opportunities for team members at a leading healthcare technology company and drive advancements that address the three critical areas of cost, quality and outcomes across the healthcare sector.”

    The new company will be able to offer health plans and providers a comprehensive suite of end-to-end financial and payment solutions and technologies. In addition, customers will benefit from solutions that help them manage administrative and clinical complexity as they navigate the transition to value-based care. Patients will have better tools that allow them to make more informed decisions, helping them maximize their healthcare dollars and receive high quality care.

    “We are extremely pleased to be part of this important new company,” said Neil P. Simpkins, senior managing director of Blackstone. “The innovative track records and forward-thinking experiences of both organizations create a truly unique opportunity for positive impact across the healthcare ecosystem.”

    Transaction Terms and Structure
    Under the terms of their agreement, McKesson will contribute the majority of its McKesson Technology Solutions businesses to the new company, with the exception of RelayHealth Pharmacy and its Enterprise Information Solutions (EIS) division, which will be retained by McKesson. McKesson separately announced today that it will explore strategic alternatives for its EIS division.

    Change Healthcare will contribute all of its businesses to the new company, with the exception of its pharmacy switch and prescription routing business, which will be owned separately by the current Change Healthcare stockholders. Change Healthcare is currently majority-owned by Blackstone.

    McKesson will own approximately 70% of the new company, with the remaining equity stake held by Change Healthcare stockholders, which includes Blackstone and Hellman & Friedman. McKesson and Change Healthcare stockholders will jointly govern the new company and John H. Hammergren will serve as chairman. Neil de Crescenzo will serve as chief executive officer, joined by an experienced management team comprised of leaders from both McKesson and Change Healthcare.

    Financial Highlights
    The transaction unlocks value for McKesson and Change Healthcare stockholders by creating a new company with a singular focus on healthcare technology and technology-enabled services, and is expected to generate in excess of $150 million in annual synergies by the second year following the close of the transaction.

    The new company has received commitments for $6.1 billion of funded debt related to this transaction, with proceeds to be used to repay approximately $2.7 billion of existing Change Healthcare debt, make $1.25 billion in cash payments to McKesson and make $1.75 billion in cash payments to Change Healthcare’s stockholders, with the remainder to be used for transaction-related expenses.

    The transaction is subject to closing conditions, including antitrust clearance and the completion of audited financial statements of the MTS businesses being contributed to the new company, and is expected to close in the first half of calendar year 2017. The agreement provides that McKesson and Change Healthcare will take steps to launch an initial public offering in the months following the close of the transaction, subject to market conditions. Thereafter, McKesson expects to exit its investment in the new company in a tax-efficient manner.

    Conference Call Details
    McKesson has scheduled a conference call for today June 28, 2016, at 8:45 AM ET to discuss the transaction. The dial-in number for individuals wishing to participate on the call is 719.234.7317. Craig Mercer, senior vice president, Investor Relations, McKesson Corporation, is the leader of the call and the password to join the call is ‘McKesson’. The live webcast and supplementary slide presentation for the conference call can be accessed on the company’s Investor Relations website at investor.mckesson.com.

    A telephonic replay of this conference call will be available for five calendar days. The dial-in number for individuals wishing to listen to the replay is 719-457-0820 and the pass code is 2040084.

    About McKesson Corporation
    McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 5th on the FORTUNE 500, is a healthcare services and information technology company dedicated to making the business of healthcare run better. McKesson partners with payers, hospitals, physician offices, pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies, and others across the spectrum of care to build healthier organizations that deliver better care to patients in every setting. McKesson helps its customers improve their financial, operational and clinical performance with solutions that include pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management, healthcare information technology and business and clinical services. For more information, visit mckesson.com.

    About Change Healthcare
    Change Healthcare is a leading provider of software and analytics, network solutions and technology-enabled services that optimize communications, payments and actionable insights designed to enable smarter healthcare. By leveraging its Intelligent Healthcare Network™, which includes the single largest financial and administrative network in the US healthcare system, payers, providers and pharmacies are able to increase revenue, improve efficiency, reduce costs, increase cash flow and more effectively manage complex workflows. Learn more at changehealthcare.com.

    About Blackstone
    Blackstone has been a global leader in private equity since 1985, with $95 billion of assets under management. Blackstone uncovers value by identifying great companies and enhancing their performance by providing strategic capital and outstanding management talent. Blackstone aims to grow stronger enterprises, create jobs and enable its portfolio companies to build lasting value for its investors, their employees and all stakeholders.

    Blackstone is one of the world’s leading investment firms. It seeks to create positive economic impact and long-term value for its investors, the companies it invests in and the communities in which it works. This is done by using extraordinary people and flexible capital to help companies solve problems. Its asset management businesses, with over $340 billion in assets under management, include investment vehicles focused on private equity, real estate, public debt and equity, non-investment grade credit, real assets and secondary funds, all on a global basis. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com. Follow Blackstone on Twitter @Blackstone.

    Risk Factors
    This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the expected timing of the completion of the transaction; the ability to complete the transaction considering the various closing conditions; the expected benefits and costs of the transaction; any projections of earnings, revenues, synergies or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements regarding product or service developments, extensions or integration; any statements of expectation or belief; any statements regarding general industry conditions and competition; any statements regarding economic conditions; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include risks related to the timing or ultimate completion of the transaction, as the transaction is subject to closing conditions, including antitrust clearance and completion of audited financial statements of the MTS businesses being contributed to the new company; the possibility that expected benefits may not materialize as expected; ability to successfully implement integration strategy for the new company; as well as the ability to ensure continued performance or market growth of McKesson’s, Change Healthcare’s and the new company’s products and services. These risks, uncertainties and other factors, and the general risks associated with the respective businesses of McKesson and Change Healthcare described in the reports and other documents submitted by each of them to the Securities and Exchange Commission, could cause actual results to differ materially from those referred to in the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to McKesson and Change Healthcare and are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date such statements were first made. Except to the extent required by law, neither McKesson nor Change Healthcare assumes any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements or other statements included in this press release.

    Contacts
    McKesson Corporation

    Investors and Financial Media:
    Craig Mercer, 415-983-8391
    [email protected]

    General and Business Media
    Kris Fortner, 415-983-8352
    [email protected]

    Change Healthcare Holdings

    Julie Loftus Trudell
    615.932.3445
    [email protected]

    Posted 6.28.2016

  • Sunquest Information Systems to Host Tucson Cancer Moonshot Summit

    TUCSON, AZ – June 28, 2016 — Sunquest Information Systems Inc. today announced it will host the Tucson Cancer Regional Moonshot Summit on June 29 at the Hilton El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort in Tucson. The event will convene local leaders across health, private industry and philanthropic sectors as part of the White House-led National Cancer Moonshot Initiative.

    The Sunquest-hosted event will unite individuals and organizations across the community under the charge of doubling the rate of progress in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care. The Summit is one of numerous events scheduled the same day across the nation to share updates and facilitate discussions on how to end cancer as we know it.

    “The Cancer Moonshot Summit aligns perfectly with Sunquest’s emphatic commitment to improving healthcare and impacting the lives of one billion patients,” said Matthew Hawkins, president of Sunquest. “We’re excited to collaborate with other Tucson organizations who share our passion for solving the complexities of cancer, defying the bounds of innovation and accelerating progress in this fight.”

    Summit participants include leaders of several Tucson-based organizations committed to cancer research, diagnostics, treatment, and care sectors and include the American Cancer Society Tucson, Arizona Oncology, Cancer Prevention Pharmaceuticals, HTG Molecular and Yuma Regional Medical Center Cancer Center. During the event, company leaders will share details about their organizations’ efforts to accelerate cancer research and treatment and engage in a group discussion facilitated by Sunquest.

    Sunquest is a market leader for laboratory software, blood banking and transfusion services, and specimen collection and management. Sunquest recently acquired GeneInsight Inc., an IT company that streamlines the analysis, interpretation and reporting of complex genetic tests, such as tumor testing for somatic mutations. With the acquisition of GeneInsight, Sunquest seamlessly integrates genetics findings into routine diagnostics workflows and makes findings available to clinicians in real-time.

    Sunquest Information Systems Inc. provides laboratory information systems to more than 1,700 laboratories. Since 1979, Sunquest has helped laboratories across the world optimize financial results, enhance efficiency and improve the quality of patient care. The company’s singular focus on diagnostic innovation has delivered solutions that offer unique support for complex testing, enable community-wide connectivity and can be used at the point-of care. Headquartered in Tucson, AZ, with offices in the United Kingdom and India, Sunquest is a global leader in healthcare information technology. For more information, visit www.sunquestinfo.com.

    Media Contact:
    Michelle Noteboom
    Amendola Communications for Sunquest Information Systems, Inc.
    512.426.2870
    [email protected]

    Posted 6.28.2016

  • Clearsense Partners with CynergisTek to Safeguard Data Assets & Ensure HIPAA Compliance

    Analytics Firm Selects Healthcare Security Leader’s Compliance Assist Partner Program for Business Associates to Address Heightened Regulatory & Threat Environment

    AUSTIN, TX – June, 27, 2016 — CynergisTek™, an authority in health information security, privacy and compliance, today announced that Clearsense, a Florida-based data analytics firm, has selected the company’s Compliance Assist Partner Program for Business Associates (BA CAPP) to ensure compliance with extended HIPAA regulations and to strengthen its security infrastructure in the face of increasingly sophisticated threats. CynergisTek’s BA CAPP will provide Clearsense with ongoing independent review of its privacy and security programs and procedures to ensure thorough maintenance and compliance.

    Clearsense selected CynergisTek as its security partner based on the company’s specialized healthcare expertise and proven diligence in equipping its clients to address today’s threat environment. Recently updated to reflect the latest adjustments to audit protocols, CynergisTek’s BA CAPP ensures Clearsense is not only HIPAA compliant, but also can meet demand from its healthcare customers for enhanced security measures that are proven to mitigate breach risk.

    “We are committed to providing a very secure environment for our clients,” said Christopher Rogowski, President of Clearsense. “The CynergisTek CAPP program provides additional peace of mind and assurance to all of our clients in knowing that our security practices are under constant third party surveillance and proactive scrutiny.”

    CynergisTek’s BA CAPP is delivered by industry experts and provides an independent, thorough evaluation of an organization’s security posture on an ongoing basis using standards-based risk assessments, multi-level advisory support, and daily programmatic management. In addition to ensuring compliance, BA CAPP users benefit from documentation that proves security posture, including a letter of reference from CynergisTek to be used as needed (e.g. during the sales cycle or to fulfill requests from current clients or investors).

    “As providers get smarter about security, they inevitably will begin to scrutinize their vendors and contractors on the subject,” said Mac McMillan, CEO of CynergisTek. “BAs realize that they need to have the right answers to tough security questions in order to win provider business today, and we’ve seen a huge uptick in this segment of our business as a result. Clearsense is exemplary in the BA community for its proactive approach, and we are looking forward to a long partnership.”

     

     About Clearsense
    Based in Jacksonville Beach, Fla., Clearsense is inventing a new model of healthcare analytics, one that is truly accessible to even non-data scientists, for meeting and exceeding quality measures and patient wellbeing. No longer will data silos and closed platforms impede progress. No longer will cost and complexity pervade the analytics industry. Clearsense’s analytics solutions empower those who heal others—because that’s how you bring analytics to life. Learn more about Clearsesnse at www.clearsense.com.

    About CynergisTek
    CynergisTek is a top-ranked information security and privacy consulting firm. The company offers solutions to help organizations measure privacy and security programs against regulatory requirements and assists in developing risk management best practices. Since 2004 the company has served as a partner to hundreds in the healthcare industry. CynergisTek is also dedicated to supporting and educating the industry by contributing to relevant associations such as HIMSS, AHIMA, HFMA, HCCA, AHIA, AHLA, IAPP and CHIME. CynergisTek has been named in multiple research reports as one of the top firms provider organizations turn to for privacy and security. For more information visit www.cynergistek.com, call 512.402.8550 or email [email protected].

    Media Contact
    Taylor VerMeer
    Account Executive
    Aria Marketing
    617.332.9999 x205
    [email protected]

     

    Posted 6.27.2016

  • Vital Launches Application Neutral Architecture (ANA) to Deliver Advanced Interoperability and Workflow

    Non-Disruptive, Adaptable, Interoperability Platform

    MINNEAPOLIS, MN – June 27, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Vital Images, Inc. (Vital), a Minneapolis-based advanced medical imaging and informatics company, is pleased to announce the launch of the latest addition to its enterprise clinical data suite ­– the application neutral architecture (ANA) platform. This next-generation approach focuses on customer-centered vendor interoperability, rather than creating additional silos of large data prevalent in the “big bang” VNA realm. The company will launch its ANA in booth 106 at the annual meeting of the Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine (SIIM), June 29 – July 1 in Portland, Ore.

    Vital’s ANA approach uses a sophisticated software toolset that facilitates advanced interoperability and workflow between existing healthcare informatics applications. The solution was specifically designed to address the semantic interoperability chasm between structured and unstructured data sets. The platform communicates with numerous sub-systems, such as ECM, VNA and PACS, in synchronicity with EMR, HIE and many other healthcare information systems. ANA promotes a federated “real-time access to information” model versus the “big bang” centralization focus of a typical VNA project.

    “Our application neutral architecture platform provides immediate, non-disruptive connectivity and interoperability solutions within the existing infrastructure,” says Jim Litterer, CEO of Vital Images. “In bridging the gap between vendor-proprietary data sets, ANA has the potential to transform enterprise informatics, promote patient engagement and secure access to patients’ health records, all in accordance with the rapidly changing environment of accountable care.”

    While Vital continues to lead in advanced visualization – with over 5,000 Vitrea® software customer installations globally – the company directs increasing focus towards enterprise informatics and analytics. Vital is committed to bringing advanced algorithm ingenuity to healthcare informatics. ANA provides semantic interoperability to all stakeholders in the healthcare enterprise, from providers to the myriad of EMR, ESB, VNA and other imaging and multimedia vendors. This enterprise-wide approach supports technology providers in their efforts to streamline workflow as healthcare organizations navigate the varied requirements of government regulations, accountable care, shared-saving programs, chronic disease management and bundled payments.

    About Vital Images, Inc.
    Vital Images, Inc., a Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation company, is a leading provider of health imaging diagnostic, management and imaging intelligence solutions, to help healthcare organizations deliver exceptional care while optimizing resources across multi-facility organizations. The company’s solutions are scalable to meet the unique needs of hospitals and imaging centers and are accessible throughout the enterprise anytime and anywhere. For more information, visit vitalimages.com or join the conversation on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

    At Vital Images
    Aaron Wangen
    952.487.9632
    [email protected]
    vitalimages.com

    Posted 6.27.2016

  • Inside CHIME: CHIME at 25 – Building Relationships

    Inside CHIME - header

    Weinstock 70x70 6.23.16 by Matthew Weinstock
    Director of Communications and Public Relations, CHIME

    For founding board member Larry Grandia, CHIME’s greatest strengths are in the members and the bonds that they forge with one another.

    A lifelong CHIME member, Larry Grandia has formed unbreakable bonds with many of his CIO colleagues. Perhaps most unique is the relationship he’s built with three other CIOs over the course of two decades.

    For 20-plus years, Grandia and his three cohorts held annual retreats. The location would rotate between their respective home organizations and the visiting CIOs would serve as guest lectures to the host organization’s board, medical staff or other departments.

    “Then we would spend two days together and talk intensely about what was happening in healthcare, in our organizations and in our lives,” Grandia says. “We never missed a meeting and even though we are all retired, we still get together today. The four of us helped each other through work problems, health problems, family problems. I consider them brothers. That’s what is at the heart of CHIME.”

    Grandia’s passion for CHIME, its mission and its members is infectious. A member of the founding board of trustees in 1992, Grandia beams when describing CHIME’s growth over the years and its rise to prominence on the national stage, but the sense of pride really comes through when he talks about CHIME on a more personal level.

    “What I take the greatest pride in — and I hope members continue to take pride in — are the relationships that CHIME allows you to develop. You can create some very intimate relationships with people you trust and with whom you can connect during stressful times,” he says. “I knew there were CHIME members I could call during low points in my professional life who would support me and help breathe air back into my balloon when I needed it. And there were people who knew that they could count on me. CHIME is safe place. It offers an opportunity to build relationships with people you admire and trust; people who have walked down the same path.”

    More Inside CHIME Volume 1, No. 20:

    Posted 6.23.2016

  • Inside CHIME: Member Profile – Robin Sarkar: Optimizing Health IT

    Inside CHIME - header

    Weinstock 70x70 6.23.16 by Matthew Weinstock
    Director of Communications and Public Relations, CHIME

    Being relatively new to healthcare hasn’t stopped Robin Sarkar from moving quickly to build strong alliances with clinical leaders and promote health IT adoption.

    It may not sound like a big deal, but physicians at a Lakeland Health clinic have regained their lunch hour. In part, they can thank the Lakeland Health ConnectIT team and Robin Sarkar, CIO of the St. Joseph, MI-based health system. Sarkar instituted an initiative to not only study how clinicians are using the health IT system, but help them to become more efficient end users.

    “We sit with clinicians and watch their workflow,” Sarkar says. “We work with them to find efficiencies and ways to do their work quicker and better. We had a program called ‘One Less Click,’ which may sound superficial, but imagine a primary care physician who can cut multiple clicks out of their day. It gives them back time.”

    They are not only studying time spent in the electronic health record, but are also looking across the entire ecosystem to see where technology can enable more efficiency and where workflows can be modified.

    The goal of making clinicians more meaningful users of health IT is part of a broader roadmap that’s been laid out by the leadership team at Lakeland Health. Sarkar, who joined the health system in early 2014 after years in the for-profit business sector, including a stints with Whirlpool and Bank of America, leads an EHR optimization program along with the chief medical officer.

    “We are two in a box,” he says, “trying to integrate the clinical mind and the IT mind as best as possible.”

    For this kind of integration to work though, he’s quick to add, it can’t just take place at the leadership level; it needs to happen at the operational level as well with clinicians and IT analysts working side-by-side.

    The effort seems to be paying off. In early June, the IT department sent out a note to physicians seeking volunteers to help further explore how IT can be used to improve patient care. The response was “outstanding,” according to Sarkar. Hospitalists, primary care doctors, surgeons all wanted in.

    “There’s huge untapped interest in seeing how we can better leverage technology,” he says. “We are also trying to keep it agile. We want to look at how we can be more innovative with physician engagement.”

    Being a relative newcomer to healthcare, Sarkar relishes the opportunity to transform care delivery and save lives. It’s brought more purpose to his career, he says.

    “The challenges in healthcare are such that none of us can tackle them alone,” he adds. “We have to get in the ship together, hold hands and share best practices. That’s the only way that we will survive.”

    Along those lines, CHIME members can learn more about Lakeland Health’s efforts to operationalize its IT strategic plan by downloading Sarkar’s College LIVE event in KnowledgeHub.

    More Inside CHIME Volume 1, No. 20:

    Posted 6.23.2016

  • Vital Introduces Vitrea® 7, a New Era in Advanced Visualization

    Patient Centric, Application-Based Platform

    MINNEAPOLIS, MN – June 22, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Vital Images, Inc. (Vital), a Minneapolis-based advanced medical imaging and informatics company, recently launched version 7 of its Vitrea advanced visualization software. This innovative, application-based platform delivers full-powered solutions for 2D, 3D and 4D medical imaging and comprehensive user workflows, including CT, MR and XA applications. Vitrea software is one of several solutions Vital will feature at the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) annual meeting (booth 207), June 23-26 in Orlando, FL.

    “We are excited to launch the latest version of Vitrea advanced visualization,” says Jim Litterer, CEO of Vital Images. “With this release, clinicians have access to enhanced diagnostic and workflow tools to help improve patient outcomes and departmental efficiencies.”

    With several new applications and unified, scalable deployment options, Vitrea software empowers CMIOs and their clinicians to grow their applications based on current and future needs. The flexibility of partner applications being available on all deployments and content personalization built into Vitrea software can help CMIOs gain more rapid physician adoption.

    Vital also streamlined the user interface and integration of new applications to ensure consistent user experience across all modalities: CT/MR/XA/PET/SPECT. By providing advanced clinical tools within a uniform user interface, Vitrea software enables physicians to have meaningful interactions wherever they are.

    “The standardized platform of Vitrea software provides seamless integration of ‘best of breed’ partner applications, including a unified reporting database,” says Steve Andersen, general manager, AV and EVP at Vital Images. “Its scalable architecture and comprehensive solution-set, coupled with its proven ease of use and Vital’s world-class service, offer clinicians superior performance and flexibility.”

    At SCCT, Vital will showcase a Stratasys uPrint SE Plus 3D Printer, which is able to physically replicate the anatomy using data from an imaging study. Vitrea software takes patient scans and converts them into STL files for direct use with a 3D printer. A range of anatomical models from demonstration patient studies will be on display as well. Many of these models were 3D printed using Stratasys’ Connex line of 3D printers that enables simultaneous multi-material, multi-color 3D prints to mimic both the appearance and texture of patient anatomy.

    About Vitrea Advanced Visualization
    Vitrea advanced visualization software from Vital Images creates 2D, 3D and 4D images of human anatomy from scanner-produced image data. With this productivity-enhancing tool, physicians can easily navigate within images to better understand disease conditions. Flexible deployment options of Vitrea advanced visualization software allow users to customize the solution based on their facility’s specific needs.

    About Vital Images, Inc.
    Vital Images, Inc., a Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation company, is a leading provider of health imaging diagnostic, management and imaging intelligence solutions to help healthcare organizations deliver exceptional care while optimizing resources across multi-facility organizations. The company’s solutions are scalable to meet the unique needs of hospitals and imaging centers and are accessible throughout the enterprise anytime and anywhere. For more information, visit vitalimages.com or join the conversation on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

    Vitrea is a trademark of Vital Images, Inc.

    At Vital Images
    Aaron Wangen
    952.487.9632
    [email protected]
    vitalimages.com

    Posted 6.22.2016

  • McKesson Corporation to Webcast Investor Day

    SAN FRANCISCO, CA – June 22, 2016 — McKesson Corporation (NYSE:MCK) will host an Investor Day in Boston on Wednesday, June 29, 2016, including presentations by John Hammergren, Chairman and CEO; James Beer, EVP and CFO; Paul Julian, EVP and Group President, McKesson Distribution Solutions; Pat Blake, EVP and Group President, McKesson Technology Solutions; and other members of the leadership team.

    The live webcast and Investor Day presentation will be available live and archived on the Investor Relations website at investor.mckesson.com. A complete listing of upcoming events for the investment community is available on the company’s Investor Relations website.

    About McKesson Corporation
    McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 5th on the FORTUNE 500, is a healthcare services and information technology company dedicated to making the business of healthcare run better. McKesson partners with payers, hospitals, physician offices, pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies and others across the spectrum of care to build healthier organizations that deliver better care to patients in every setting. McKesson helps its customers improve their financial, operational and clinical performance with solutions that include pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management, healthcare information technology and business and clinical services. For more information, visit www.mckesson.com.

    PR Contact
    Craig Mercer
    Investors and Financial Media
    415.983.8391
    [email protected]

    Posted 6.22.2016

  • Navigant’s McKinnis Consulting Services Recognized in KLAS Report for Driving Revenue Cycle Redesign/Optimization Improvements, Financial Results

    McKinnis achieves highest client impact rating among all rated firms, according to KLAS IT Advisory report

    CHICAGO, IL – June 21, 2016 — Navigant (NYSE: NCI) today announced that McKinnis Consulting Solutions, acquired by the company in 2015, was named a leading provider of Information Technology (IT) Advisory Services, as a specialist firm, by KLAS.

    According to the KLAS report Healthcare IT Advisory 2016: The Experience Factor, “Due to McKinnis’ dedicated focus and ability to deliver results, eight out of ten clients interviewed gave McKinnis the highest impact rating, representing the best performance out of all rated firms.” Within the report, clients also praise McKinnis for “delivering significant improvements in metrics reporting and governance,” with 90 percent of McKinnis customers citing “a strong impact in revenue cycle performance and workflow efficiencies due to McKinnis’ optimization work on Epic revenue cycle projects.”

    “Care providers are increasingly challenged to achieve positive margins in today’s everchanging value-based environment,” said James McHugh, managing director of Navigant’s Revenue Cycle Solutions and a founding member of McKinnis. “It’s gratifying to hear directly from our clients how we’re helping them drive meaningful results to better serve their patients and communities.”

    The KLAS Healthcare IT Advisory report collects provider feedback on firms that deliver solutions in the revenue cycle management and other IT services space. The report evaluates firms’ overall performance and scope of services, performance on metrics critical to project success, and abilities to deliver strong results.

    “Our primary goal is to enable our clients’ success not only through insight and advice, but also through ongoing collaboration,” said Dave Zito, managing director and Navigant Healthcare segment leader. “The fact that our clients noted in the report that McKinnis ‘shines in communicating effectively with client stakeholders’ and ‘forming quality partnerships’ are clear indicators that our approach is effective.”

    Navigant’s end-to-end revenue cycle solutions include electronic health record (EHR) technology optimization, clinical documentation improvement, revenue cycle performance improvement consulting, outsourced modular services, and fully outsourced revenue cycle offerings.

    KLAS members can view the KLAS Healthcare IT Advisory 2016 report here: www.data.klasresearch.com/reports/1090.

    Posted 6.21.2016

  • Scottsdale Institute CIO Summit Highlights the IT Challenges in Creating Clinically Integrated Networks

    Fourteen health-system CIOs share insights on key IT-enabled strategy for value-based care

    MINNEAPOLIS, MN& CHICAGO, IL – June 21, 2016 — Driven by the accelerating trend toward alternative payment models that reward quality rather than volume, CIOs from some of the nation’s leading health systems gathered at the recent Scottsdale Institute (SI) Annual Conference to share experiences in the IT challenges of building clinically integrated networks, a key underpinning of value-based, accountable care.

    Last year’s passage of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA), which rapidly accelerates the transition to value-based payments, has especially spurred health systems to optimize and expand their clinically integrated networks, which enable all the physicians and care-team members involved with a patient to share timely and accurate data and coordinate that care for the highest efficiency, quality and patient satisfaction possible.

    Insights and lessons learned from the discussion held in April as part of the SI Conference “Managing Health and Care Across the Continuum,” are outlined in the report, “Creating Clinically Integrated Networks: Challenges, Successes, Lessons Learned.”

    “This was our fifth CIO Summit and we look forward to more opportunities to bring senior executives together through this valuable networking and collaboration activity, which is at the center of our mission at SI,” said Shelli Williamson, Executive Director, Scottsdale Institute. “The discussion on ‘Creating Clinically Integrated Networks’ gave CIOs an opportunity to dive into the IT challenges of doing this within the context of the overall Conference theme of ‘Managing Health and Care Across the Continuum.’ At SI Conferences, member CEOs, CMOs, CIOs and other senior executives participate and share their experiences and perspectives on current challenges such as these.”

    The CIO Summit was hosted by Scottsdale Institute, a not-for-profit membership organization of health systems advanced in IT, supported by Impact Advisors, a healthcare IT consultancy and moderated by Ralph Wakerly of C-Suite Resources. The CIOs in attendance included:

    • Mary Alice Annecharico – Henry Ford Health System
    • Mark Barner – Ascension
    • David Bensema, M.D. – Baptist Health Kentucky
    • George Conklin – CHRISTUS Health
    • David Graham, MD – Memorial Health System
    • Kyle Johnson – Eastern Maine Health System
    • Ken Lawonn – Sharp HealthCare
    • Gerry Lewis – Ascension Information Services
    • Patrick O’Hare – Spectrum Health
    • David Pecoraro – SCL Health
    • Bruce Smith – Advocate Health Care
    • Rebecca Sykes – Mercy Health
    • Jim Veline – Avera Health
    • Laishy Williams-Carlson – Bon Secours Health System

    “The Scottsdale Institute is an ideal setting for collaboration among fellow CIOs across the membership and to discuss the strategic interests and challenges we share in the emerging climates of CINs, Cybersecurity and Data Analytics,” said Mary Alice Annecharico, senior VP and CIO at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit. “SI also allows us to compare our organizations against comprehensive SI benchmarking metrics.”

    “As value-based payment models continue to accelerate, healthcare CIOs must take steps now rather than later to prepare for the changes if they want to be successful,” said Andy Smith, President, Impact Advisors. “It’s crucial for CIOs to share early challenges and best practices with one another as they embark on this journey together and we are proud to partner with the Scottsdale Institute, an organization that makes this meaningful collaboration possible.”

    “Creating Clinically Integrated Networks: Challenges, Successes, Lessons Learned,” highlights five key recommendations to help guide health systems in this critical area of value-based care. A copy of the report is downloadable for free at www.scottsdaleinstitute.org and at www.impact-advisors.com.

    About Scottsdale Institute
    The Scottsdale Institute (SI) is a not-for-profit membership organization of leading healthcare systems whose goal is to support its members on their journey to clinical integration, innovation and transformation through information technology. SI facilitates knowledge sharing and collaboration among senior executives and their teams across the enterprise. They provide intimate and informal forums that accomplish this goal through collaboration, education and networking. For more information, visit www.scottsdaleinstitute.org.

    About Impact Advisors
    Impact Advisors is a nationally recognized healthcare information technology consulting firm that is solving some of the toughest challenges in the industry by delivering strategic advisory, implementation and optimization services. Their comprehensive suite of patient access, clinical and revenue cycle services span the lifecycle of their clients’ needs. Their experienced team has a powerful combination of clinical, revenue, operations, consulting and IT experience. The firm has earned a number of prestigious industry and workplace awards including Best in KLAS® for eight consecutive years, Healthcare Informatics HCI 100, Crain’s Chicago Business Fast Fifty, as well as “best place to work” awards from: Modern Healthcare, Consulting Magazine, Becker’s Hospital Review and Achievers. For more information about Impact Advisors, visit www.impact-advisors.com.

    Karli Smith
    Director
    Chartwell Agency
    www.chartwell-agency.com

    120 W. State St.| Suite 305| Rockford, IL 61101
    Direct: 815.977.5343  |  Cell: 815.985.4129
    Rockford: 815.282.9976| Madison: 608.239.0745
    Quad Cities: 309.738.1662

     

    Posted 6.21.2016
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