Feb 25
2014
Allscripts Debuting FollowMyHealth Achieve — Consumer Empowerment Solution — at HIMSS14
The latest addition to Allscripts (NASDAQ: MDRX) extensive population health management suite, Allscripts FollowMyHealth Achieve, is intended to be unveiled and demonstrated at HIMSS14, February 23-27, 2014, in Orlando, Fla. Utilizing the Allscripts FollowMyHealth consumer portal and wireless devices, the solution engages patients directly in the management of their care, and enables providers to monitor patient status in their homes and quickly initiate interventions when appropriate.
Allscripts FollowMyHealth Achieve represents a transformative approach to population health management by incorporating consumer-centric technologies and engaging patients within the actual clinical workflow. The solution likewise supports the primary care physician’s emerging role as the “chief executive officer” of the care team, a key to success in the healthcare reform and accountable care environment. This technology-plus-engagement strategy activates a broader team of stakeholders to oversee and advance care—increasing the number of touch points critical to facilitating behavior change without requiring additional costly, time-consuming office encounters.
With Allscripts FollowMyHealth Achieve, providers can enter care management instructions for four disease states—congestive heart failure, diabetes, hypertension and obesity—into Allscripts TouchWorks EHR, which then are made available to their patients through their Allscripts FollowMyHealth account. Patients can carry out the orders at home, using consumer wireless devices such as scales, glucose meters and blood pressure monitors that can be interfaced with the portal. Readings and results are automatically forwarded to Allscripts TouchWorks, where they are incorporated within the patients’ medical record.
Allscripts FollowMyHealth Achieve can also allow a care team to be immediately notified via EHR messaging if patients fail to comply with the care plan or if results exceed rules-based parameters established by the ordering provider. These notifications can enable the care team to review the results and take action, such as calling the patient with a reminder to take blood pressure readings or to schedule a follow-up appointment with the provider to adjust medications or the care plan.
“Healthcare is looking for viable solutions that directly improve the health of patients, particularly those with high-risk, high-cost conditions,” says Jim Hewitt, Senior Vice President, Solutions Development, at Allscripts. “With Allscripts FollowMyHealth Achieve, care teams will have real-time indicators of patient status. They will be able to monitor and intervene—which will help prevent escalation of the disease state, interrupt development of comorbidities and reduce the need to care for the patient in acute settings. The result is healthier patients and lower costs.”
Allscripts FollowMyHealth Achieve functionality likewise will enable users to leverage savings associated with remote monitoring and the use of home-based devices. In July 2013, Juniper Research forecast that healthcare savings attributed to remote patient monitoring could reach $36 billion by 2018.(1) Studies conducted by the Veterans Health Administration demonstrate 20 percent reduction in hospital admissions, as well as 25 percent reduction in bed days, because of remote monitoring.(2)
“Consumers are seeking ways to become more actively engaged in their care and Allscripts FollowMyHealth Achieve is an ideal solution to create this important connection between consumers and caregivers,” says Paul M. Black, President and Chief Executive Officer of Allscripts. “Allscripts FollowMyHealth Achieve represents the next level of consumer engagement. It moves the industry beyond simple functionality for filling out paperwork, requesting refills and paying bills. It creates a true and dynamic partnership between the consumer and their care team.”
(1) “Mobile Health & Fitness: Monitoring, App-enabled Devices & Cost Savings 2013-2018,” Juniper Research, July 17, 2013.
(2) “Care Coordination/Home Telehealth: The Systematic Implementation of Health Informatics, Home Telehealth and Disease Management to Support the Care of Veteran Patients with Chronic Conditions,” Department of Veterans Affairs,Office of Care Coordination Services, Washington, D.C., Telemedicine and e-Health, December 2008.
About Allscripts
Allscripts (NASDAQ: MDRX) delivers the insights that healthcare providers require to generate world-class outcomes. The company’s Electronic Health Record, practice management and other clinical, revenue cycle, connectivity and information solutions create a Connected Community of Health™ for physicians, hospitals and post-acute organizations. To learn more about Allscripts, please visit www.allscripts.com, Twitter, YouTube and It Takes A Community: The Allscripts Blog.