Medweb, a leader in scalable Web-based telemedicine solutions, announced today at the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) that the company will provide a free EHR application with its virtualPACS gateway module. The software-only virtualPACS includes a fully-hosted backup DICOM archive, Web server and router enabling clinicians to securely access patient data from virtually any location – the office, hospital, clinic or emergency room. virtualPACS is downloaded via a Web browser and auto configured to any Windows-based PC, so it does not require involvement of an IT specialist. Group practices can add Computed Radiography (CR) to Medweb’s digital orthopedic solution for as low as $500 per month.
Medweb EHR, powered by Practice Fusion, is a full-featured, Web-based solution with charting, scheduling, e-prescribing and medical billing tools. When this qualified EHR is combined with virtualPACS, orthopedic practices will have an image-enabled EHR that demonstrates “meaningful use” according to the guidelines proposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) under the HITECH Act as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. Starting in 2011, facilities that demonstrate meaningful use of a qualified EHR will be eligible to receive $40,000 to $60,000 in incentive payments in the form of increased Medicare and Medicaid payments.
To provide orthopedic practices with a fully-integrated digital solution, Medweb will also offer a choice of CR systems designed to meet the imaging needs of a physician practice. CR is a lower-cost solution for digital office-based imaging that eliminates the cost of film, chemicals, and storage space.
“The challenge that all orthopedic practices are facing is not whether they will transform their office into a digital environment, rather when and how,” says Pete Killcommons, CEO, Medweb. “virtualPACS with Medweb EHR powered by Practice Fusion provides all the tools group practices need to demonstrate meaningful use, qualify for the incentive payment and avoid future penalties. Our Web-based solution is easy to implement – even without IT staff – and use, and the integrated design enhances patient services while simultaneously reducing expenses.”
The virtualPACS gateway serves as a local server for clinicians, who can retrieve copies of their patients’ studies, reports and scanned documents. Medweb’s digital orthopedic solution is also available with orthopedic templating and reporting, a full library of implants, auto reporting of implant specifications and order SKUs, Cobb angles, 3D volume rendering, Hounsfield units and freeform annotation.
