While most physicians have pagers or traditional answering services to keep them connected while in the office or at home, as a group, they have been slow to adopt new technology tools such as standard hand-held wireless
devices. Today’s deal between healthcare tech provider Allscripts and Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq: MSFT) hopes to change the status quo and increase the adoption of technology tools used by physicians.
The agreement between Allscripts Healthcare Solutions (Nasdaq: MDRX) and Microsoft announced today merges Allscripts’ TouchWorks, a suite of clinical productivity applications, based on Microsoft’s tech platforms (.NET Enterprise Servers, including Windows 2000 Server and SQL Server 2000), with Microsoft’s marketing resources to accelerate the sale and deployment of the TouchWorks product suite.
Microsoft will provide an undisclosed amount of funding to Allscripts as well as provide it with access to “advanced technology.”
“We are very pleased to announce this relationship with Microsoft as it clearly
validates our strategy for increasing the adoption of technology tools by
physicians,” said Allscripts’ CEO, Glen Tullman. “Together, we will be able to raise the
penetration and use of our Microsoft-based TouchWorks solution, enabling
thousands of physicians across the country to use a standard hand-held wireless
device for all their needs.”
TouchWorks modules use handheld or desktop workstation devices to automate
prescribing, charge capture, documentation, orders and results, patient
education, and structured notes; all with a comprehensive tasking tool that
helps to organize a physician’s workflow.
“Allscripts
brings a deep understanding of physicians’ needs, a proven suite of mobile
applications in use by physicians today, as well as expertise with handheld
PocketPC technology,” said Davide Vigano, general manager,
Healthcare & Public Sector Enterprise Solutions Group, Microsoft. “By combining these strengths with the flexibility and
reliability of Microsoft [technology], we aim to accelerate the adoption of these solutions among
physicians worldwide and help them improve the level of care they provide.”
