SAN DIEGO – DR Systems, one of the most respected names in healthcare information systems, will be exhibiting its MU Imaging EHR -- a complete, cloud-based, imaging-centric ambulatory electronic health record -- at RSNA 2011.

An estimated 90% of radiologists are eligible for incentive payments from the CMS, according to the American College of Radiology. Radiologists will have to qualify before October 1, 2012 to earn the maximum bonus of $44,000, however. Radiologists who do not comply with meaningful use will be penalized with lower reimbursements from CMS.

The DR Systems MU Imaging EHR (electronic healthcare record) is designed to qualify radiologists for the maximum federal incentive payments available for meaningful use (MU) compliance supporting the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) goals for improved and efficient patient care.

“Most radiologists seem to believe that they weren't included in the meaningful use regulations, but the opposite is true,” said Murray Reicher, M.D., DR Systems co-founder and chairman. “The real challenge is meeting the requirements in time to get the largest bonuses -- and just as important, to avoid future penalties.”

Dr. Reicher is a recognized MU authority and co-author of an article about meaningful use published in the September 2011 issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology (JACR).

Benefits of the MU Imaging EHR, which will be demonstrated at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, include:

• Vendor-neutral, offering plug-in options or standalone. The MU Imaging EHR can be used as a web-service plug-in to any existing HIS, RIS, CVIS, or PACS, enabling radiologists to more rapidly meet the October 1, 2012 deadline. The MU Imaging EHR can also be used as a standalone system.
• Interoperability for efficient data aggregation. The MU Imaging EHR's cloud-based design enables radiologists who work at multiple locations to easily aggregate their data, a requirement for reporting to CMS.
• Single Radiology-centric solution. MU Imaging EHR is customized for a medical imaging professional’s workflow and does not require aggregating data from other certified modules.
• Complete and low cost. Because the MU Imaging EHR is cloud-based and requires no dedicated hardware, it can be efficiently deployed by both individuals and large group practices.

DR Systems will be demonstrating the MU Imaging EHR at Booth #2822 in South Building, Hall A. RSNA 2011 will be held Nov. 27 – Dec. 2 at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago.

To qualify for bonuses and avoid penalties, a radiology practice must implement a complete ambulatory EHR or its equivalent – that is, a collection of modules that in total meet the technical requirements of a complete system.

Thus, radiologists could attempt to meet the MU requirements by upgrading their existing installed systems. But this approach is time-consuming and requires substantial investments in both hardware and software. Interoperability will be a challenge if data aggregation from multiple locations is needed.

“Our EHR approach is designed to address every aspect of the challenge in the most efficient way possible, while also improving the practice of radiology and patient care,” said Reicher. “This last point is crucial. Even though the meaningful use bonuses are substantial, they wouldn't be worth it if meeting the requirements were too expensive or slowed down a radiology practice's workflow.”

Certification of DR Systems’ MU Imaging EHR is anticipated for 4^th quarter 2011 and General Availability in 1^st quarter 2012.

About DR Systems, Inc.

DR Systems is the leading independent provider of enterprise imaging and information management systems for integrated healthcare networks, hospitals, and diagnostic imaging centers. For more than 19 years, the company has helped over 500 hospitals and imaging center sites lower their cost of operation by improving management of patient information, eliminating ancillary IT systems and interfaces, and increasing workflow speed, while also providing better clinical quality and patient care.