Advanced Data Systems (ADS) and Merge Healthcare are joining forces to boost interoperability for physician communication and workflow in electronic health records (EHRs).
The new partnership, under Merge's iConnect program, will direct clinical data in real-time to referring physicians' EHRs to boost referrals while cutting costs and complying with regulatory requirements, according to the firms.
Integrating Merge's iConnect with ADS' MedicsRIS will enable physicians who refer patients to radiology practices using MedicsRIS to see exam results, diagnostic-quality images, and other important patient information, the firms said.
Improved interoperability between radiologists and other providers will reduce duplicate tests and unnecessary radiation exposure, improving patient outcomes and increasing physician satisfaction, according to the companies. It also cuts the cost of care and enables radiology practices' referring physicians to attest for the imaging requirements of stage 2 meaningful use by receiving real-time access to diagnostic information and images in an EHR, the firms said.
