THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- US Oncology, Inc. plans to exhibit its oncology-specific electronic health record (EHR) system, iKnowMed, at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s (ASCO) 2009 EHR Symposium: Harnessing the EHR: From Incentives to Sustainability, October 6-7 in San Francisco.
Developed by oncologists, iKnowMed(TM) addresses the unique needs of community-based medical oncologists. The system serves as a decision support tool to improve patient safety through clear, automated ordering of treatments and automatic safety triggers. It increases charge capture accuracy and, in a recent study conducted by US Oncology, was shown to improve gross charge capture ranging from $35,000 to $86,000 per physician annually. iKnowMed can also play a key role in driving patient accruals for clinical trials by screening patients for eligibility requirements at the point of care, and, in conjunction with Innovent Oncology, supports pay-for-performance initiatives with reports that provide evidence of treatment patterns and case data to support treatment decisions.
iKnowMed is a Web-based application that can be securely accessed any time of day, from any computer with internet access. The iKnowMed team includes physicians, nurse specialists and doctors of pharmacy. Their combined knowledge of the complexities of cancer care keeps the system current, relevant and user friendly.
Symposium attendees will have an opportunity to participate in educational sessions addressing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s impact on oncology, EHRs as a quality tool, implementation project management, policy and procedures, and the return on investment an EHR can offer an oncology practice. To learn more about the symposium, visit www.asco.org/ehrsymposium.
“EHRs can significantly improve patient care,” says Cindy Chavez, vice president of iKnowMed at US Oncology. “ASCO has identified EHRs as an important vehicle for advancing quality care. We are thrilled by the opportunity to exhibit at the 2009 EHR Symposium and communicate first-hand what the iKnowMed system offers to the oncology community.”
About US Oncology
US Oncology, Inc., headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas, works closely with physicians, payers, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical equipment manufacturers, to identify and deliver innovative services that enhance patient access to advanced cancer care. US Oncology supports one of the nation’s foremost cancer treatment and research networks, accelerating the availability and use of evidence-based medicine and shared best practices.
US Oncology uses its expertise to support every aspect of the cancer care delivery system--from drug development to distribution and outcomes measurement--enabling the company to help increase the efficiency and safety of cancer care. According to the company’s last quarterly earnings report, US Oncology is affiliated with 1,236 physicians operating in 476 locations, including 94 radiation oncology facilities in 39 states. For more information, visit the company’s Web site, www.usoncology.com.
About ASCO
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is the world’s leading professional organization representing physicians who care for people with cancer. With more than 27,000 members, ASCO is committed to improving cancer care through scientific meetings, educational programs and peer-reviewed journals. For ASCO information and resources, visit www.asco.org. Patient-oriented cancer information is available at www.cancer.net.
SOURCE US Oncology, Inc.
CONTACT: Jennifer Horspool of US Oncology, Inc., +1-281-863-6739,
Jennifer.Horspool@usoncology.com
Web site: http://www.usoncology.com/
