is needed to meet this challenge ? health information technology developers, caregivers, employers, payers, pharmaceutical companies, health systems and the government must all work harder together to solve this problem. Tomorrow?s healthcare networks won?t be built by one company alone, or even by health information technology developers alone, but by all of us.
Allscripts has been working with healthcare professionals across the spectrum of care for many years during a period in which health care and health IT have evolved at a tremendously rapid rate. The changes that have been required have been challenging ? they have disrupted systems that have been in place for decades. But we realize that innovation arises from disruption, and we have embraced it.
Several years ago, Allscripts made a decision to invest in an OPEN approach to connectivity ? one that is grounded in our dbMotion connectivity platform and a philosophy which has led to the development of a large network of certified software developers outside of the company who build apps based on our open APIs. From North Shore LIJ ? the largest private integrated delivery network in the country ? to thousands of independent, single provider practices who make up the backbone of care in this country, we partner with physicians and other professionals nationwide who are taking this opportunity to innovate with us.
And while the narrative on information exchange is largely negative in conversations in Congress and in the media, it is important to note that there are many examples of providers who have worked through the process of establishing connectivity and are making it work. These providers are changing lives by preventing disease and saving money. Organizations like Holston Medical Group, which has offered to connect all providers in NE Tennessee and SW Virginia and is already working with Allscripts to facilitate data exchange between 25 different EHR systems used by two hospitals and 1,200 physicians in more than 50 groups (either already connected or in process). University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, which has set up a connected network of 22 hospitals, 4,000 physicians, imaging centers, labs and others using dozens of different health information technology systems. Citrus Valley Health Partners in California, Baylor in Texas... that?s another 1.5 million patient lives, and the list goes on. In fact, while it is clear there is still effort required, our clients demonstrate every day that information exchange can lead to quantifiable and demonstrable improvements in care delivery.
Page 2
