SAN MATEO, Calif., Feb. 3, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Epocrates, Inc. (Nasdaq:EPOC) has received the federal government's "meaningful use" stamp of approval by earning complete EHR ambulatory certification for Epocrates EHR v2. The designation officially deems the electronic health record (EHR) software capable of enabling providers to qualify for funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Tested and certified under the Drummond Group's Electronic Health Records Office of the National Coordinator Authorized Testing and Certification Body (ONC-ATCB) program, the EHR software is 2011/2012 compliant in accordance with the criteria adopted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
"Certification is an important step towards availability of the complete Epocrates EHR solution for small physician practices seeking a simple and adaptable system," said Dr. Tom Giannulli, chief medical information officer of Epocrates. "Epocrates EHR is designed to work the way physicians work with optimized versions for online, iPhone and, coming soon, the iPad. Between certification and our flexible solution, we are positioning our physicians to earn maximum incentives in 2012 and beyond by demonstrating meaningful use with their patients in a meaningful way."
Drummond Group's ONC-ATCB 2011/2012 certification program tests and certifies that EHRs meet the meaningful use criteria for either eligible provider or hospital technology. In turn, healthcare providers using the EHR systems of certified vendors are qualified to receive federal stimulus monies upon demonstrating meaningful use of the technology – a key component of the federal government's push to improve clinical care delivery through the adoption and effective use of EHRs by U.S. healthcare providers.
The Epocrates EHR is a secure, web-based SaaS system designed to meet the distinct needs of small physician practices with a user-friendly interface, affordable cost structure, and comprehensive support and service program. It features core EHR capabilities, including patient encounter notes, electronic lab integration, ePrescribing, and Epocrates' market-leading drug content formatted in harmony with physicians' natural workflow. In accordance with meaningful use criteria, the solution now also includes a patient portal, templates and clinical decision support.
"The need to leverage information technology in the healthcare industry is huge – as the quality of care and efficiency benefits that come with computerization can really make a difference in the overall patient experience," says Rik Drummond, chief executive officer of the Drummond Group.
Epocrates EHR v2 is 2011/2012 compliant and has been certified as a Complete EHR by Drummond Group Inc., an ONC-ATCB, in accordance with the applicable certification criteria adopted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. This certification does not represent an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or guarantee the receipt of incentive payments. The ONC certification number is 02022012-1326-8 and was granted on February 2, 2012. The clinical quality measures to which Epocrates EHR v2 has been certified include: NQF0013, NQF0018, NQF0024, NQF0028, NQF0038, NQF0041, NQF0043, NQF0061, NQF0421. The additional software that Epocrates EHR v2 relied upon to demonstrate compliance includes: AHRQ ePSS, LabSoft, Healthwise, OpenSSL, popHealth.
About Drummond Group
Drummond Group Inc., the trusted software test lab, provides effective and efficient electronic health record (EHR) testing to healthcare information technology vendors and hospitals. As an Office of the National Coordinator Authorized Testing and Certification Body (ONC-ATCB), Drummond Group works closely with healthcare software vendors and hospitals to certify EHRs that are looking to qualify for incentive funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Drummond Group is approved to certify both complete and modular EHR for both ambulatory and inpatient. Leveraging more than a decade's worth of interoperability, conformance testing and certification experience in multiple industries, Drummond Group delivers what's needed in healthcare: highly reliable and readily affordable software testing services. For more information, go to www.drummondgroup.com.
About Epocrates, Inc.
Epocrates, Inc. (Nasdaq:EPOC) is a leading physician platform for essential clinical content, practice tools and health industry engagement at the point of care. The Epocrates network consists of more than 1.4 million healthcare professionals, including 50 percent of U.S. physicians, who routinely use its solutions and services. Epocrates' portfolio includes top-ranked medical apps, such as the industry's #1 most used mobile drug reference, valuable manufacturer resources, and a SaaS web-based electronic health record. Through these intuitive and reliable resources, the company supports clinical decisions, helps improve physician workflow and impacts patient outcomes. For more information, please visit www.epocrates.com/company.
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Epocrates is a trademark of Epocrates, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Forward-Looking Statements
The statements in this press release relating to future developments, enhancements and expansion of Epocrates EHR offerings, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon the company's current expectations. Actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including: unanticipated defects in the EHR offering may be discovered which could cause a delay in further development or certification; as well as those other risks detailed in Epocrates' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2011. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Epocrates does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events, changed assumptions or otherwise.