NORWALK, CT – Fairfield County Physician Management Corporation/Norwalk IPA, an independent practice association in southwestern Connecticut, has implemented a suite of healthcare IT software at four pilot practices, with the ultimate goal of extending the technology to all its physicians.
With 200 members, FCPMC/Norwalk IPA currently represents more than half of the region's physicians in practices of multiple sizes and specialties. The IPA is partnering on this IT project with Norwalk Hospital.
Member practices will use technology from Horsham, Pa.-based NextGen Healthcare Information Systems, Inc. Products to be rolled out include an electronic medical records and enterprise practice management system.
Officials at FCPMC/Norwalk IPA said they evaluated more than 20 products in their search for an enterprise system that could be configured for multiple medical specialties. Anthony DeFillippo, executive director of FCPMC, said tools inherent to the NextGen software give the IPA the flexibility to customize their workflow for maximum efficiency.
"Integration of (the) EMR (and) EPM will provide opportunities for physicians to maximize revenue, reduce operational costs and improve clinical workflow," he said.
DeFillippo said automation should facilitate a reduction in transcription and medical records costs and help streamline workflow processes to maximize physician productivity. FCPMC/Norwalk IPA intends to use structured data and the new system's built-in reporting tools to increase participation in pay-for-performance initiatives.
In partnership with Norwalk Hospital, FCPMC/Norwalk IPA will use the new technology as the foundation for a community clinical network. The Connecticut IPA wants to link with other community healthcare providers in order to boost involvement in clinical research programs.
"Our goal is to use technology to improve care in our community," said Peter Stovell, MD, president of FCPMC/Norwalk IPA. "We invested significant time and effort in selecting a partner that would support our vision."
