Sentara Healthcare Chooses LYNX Medical Systems Online Record Access and Workflow Management Software Modules

LYNX Web-based medical record access and coding workflow management tools offer secure, HIPAA compliant navigation of electronic records and remote coding

October 11, 2004—Bellevue, WA—LYNX Medical Systems announced today that an agreement had been reached with Sentara Healthcare to provide two online health information management (HIM) software modules. Roll-out of both HIM products throughout all Sentara sites is scheduled by the end of 2004.

A phased implementation approach will be utilized to improve both coding workflow and physician record access. First, LYNX M/Link coding workflow software will provide on-site and remote coding for Sentara Emergency Department encounters. Password protected and HIPAA compliant, M/Link provides secure (SSL), Web-based remote medical record viewing via a standard browser. By deploying M/Link through the Internet, 24/7 record distribution and viewing is available, allowing Sentara coders to efficiently work directly from electronic documents.

The second phase will involve expanding the use of M/Link to scan and code outpatient surgery cases, providing coders with immediate access to completed surgery documents for increased coding turnaround. M/Link offers Sentara centralized management, distribution and secure remote access of electronic medical records.

M/Link offers Sentara coding managers the ability to batch, distribute and monitor work to effectively streamline the coding workflow process. Sentara managers will also have the ability monitor the workflow, quality and productivity of on-site or remote coding staff through a variety of dynamic LYNX reporting tools.

The final phase of the project is implementation of LYNX M/View online record access software. M/View offers Sentara centralized management and secure remote access of electronic medical records. Through a secure (SSL) Internet connection, pre-authorized Sentara physicians will have immediate access to patient records no matter where they are located, including images, transcripts and/or text-based files. M/View is password protected and HIPAA compliant, providing a comprehensive, automatic audit trail of chart access.

“We chose LYNX M/Link based upon our success with other LYNX products and because we wanted to leverage our existing record database to maximize access,” said Marion Swaim, corporate director for health information services at Sentara. “M/Link also helps improve our coding process. The advantage is that now coding can be assigned remotely to reduce turnaround rather than being distributed within the site.”

Founded in 1888, Sentara Healthcare is a local, not-for-profit family of nationally recognized award-winning hospitals and healthcare facilities, physicians, leading-edge services, and comprehensive health plans. Sentara has consistently ranked among the best top integrated healthcare networks in the country in Modern Healthcare’s fact-based ranking. Garnering the number one position in 2001, Sentara is the only health care system on the East Coast to be ranked in the top 10 all seven years this survey has been conducted.

“We are extremely pleased to be partners with this premier healthcare provider,” said Mike DeTolla, president of LYNX Medical Systems Software. “Sentara represents the best in healthcare and a natural complement to their continued success is the LYNX health information management software.”

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