FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FIRST ONTARIO ELECTRONIC HEALTH NETWORK GIVES DOCTORS DIRECT ACCESS TO OHIP
System Could Save Up to $6 Billion for Taxpayers
Toronto,
ON, March 15, 1996 ..... A&L Computer Software Limited (A&L) and HTN Inc (HTN) today announce that they will be delivering
the first comprehensive health network system that provides
Ontario doctors with direct electronic access to OHIP, as
well as a wide variety of health care service providers,
including medical laboratories, pharmacies, and other practitioners.
The single integrated system meets guidelines established
for the Ministry of Health Smart System and the Ontario
Medical Association's recommendations for primary care
reform.
It has been estimated that by using the information highway,
the health care system could eventually reduce costs by
$6 billion, while increasing the quality of care to all
Canadians no matter where they live or what services they
require.
"The Ministry of Health, Ontario Medical Association,
A&L and HTN share the same vision regarding the direction
of health care technology in Ontario," said Alex Yuan,
president of A&L. "The need for a province-wide
health network has been recognized by both the public and
the private sector and although all parties know it is vital
to the well-being of the Ontario health care system, no
one group has the resources to do the job alone."
"The OHIP billing component will be launched without
any cost to the Ministry of Health or Ontario taxpayers,"
said Alex Yuan. " Instead, the system will be funded
by physicians and other commerical health care providers
such as pharmacies, laboratories, pharmaceutical companies
that provide health care and continuing medical education
services. Additional savings would be achieved with
the elimination of duplicate services," he said.
The HERO™ (Healthcare Electronic Resources OnLine) Network is the
only system that provides physicians with a closed, proprietary
network, multiple services and cost-effective technology
in one, single integrated package. The Network uses a Microsoft
Windows NT platform, providing users with reliability, expansion
and military-level security - all the features that are
essential for the transmission of confidential medical information.
The HERO™ network provides quick electronic transmission
of OHIP claims and increases accuracy and efficiency by
reducing the time staff spend on billing. Its extensive
internal error checking virtually eliminates the possibility
of claims being rejected due to missing or inconsistent
patient information or inaccurate OHIP numbers. It also
provides immediate retrieval of patient information, as
well as an accounting module that tracks all transactions,
including insured and private claims. Users can transmit
OHIP claims on a daily basis.
The HERO™ system allows for on-line connection with medical laboratories
so that requests for lab tests and results can be exchanged
electronically.
Prescriptions are written with on-screen prescription pads
and can be transmitted directly to participating pharmacies
of choice, eliminating errors and duplication. The software
automatically stores all prescription information in the
patient's file. The HERO™ network will
allow on-line verification of prescriptions enhancing system
accuracy and efficiency for both the physician and pharmacist.
Scheduling is also completely computerized. The visual approach
to electronic scheduling supports multiple physicians, variable
appointment times, automated re-booking and reduces overbooking.
The HERO™ Network provides physicians with a wealth of immediate resources
and communication benefits that previously have not been
available to them. The cost-effective, E-mail system puts
Ontario doctors in touch with each other, as well as the Ontario Medical
Association, and will give them access to health-care
specific information including bulletins, research data
and continuing medical education programs.
The unique design of the HERO™ Network
means it can also be operated with a wireless, remote system
which connects a physician to the office or hospital computer.
This gives doctors direct, on-the-go access to patient information
and on-line services without having to physically sit in
front of a computer. The pen-based "CruisePad"
allows doctors to access and input information from any
location in the office within 500 feet of a computer and
during hospital rounds.
"The HERO™ system has been
thoroughly tested by physicians throughout the province
over the last several months and supports health card validation,
reduces administration costs, reduces duplication of services
and manages access through on-line checking," said
Alex Yuan. "With this system, users, providers and
government alike would all share the responsibility for
the management and continuance of our health care system."
The HERO™ Network was developed by
HTN, which entered into a joint venture with A&L Computer
Software Ltd. in 1995, after both companies realized they
shared a common goal of providing full-scale network services
to the medical community and saw the potential in combining
their unique and compatible strengths.
A&L Computer Software Ltd.
was established in 1982 and in 1985 dedicated its resources
solely to the development of computer software programs
for the medical and health care communities. A&L is
the leading supplier of medical and health software in Ontario.
From: Lynne Beckett, BECKLYN Communications (416) 781-8301
Contact: Alex Yuan, A&L Computer Software Limited. (905)
886-8066 or (416) 477-2669
Gary Babcock, HTN Inc. (905) 845-3005
