GE Launches Program to Doctors, Hospitals to Accelerate EMR Adoption; First $100 Million of healthymagination ...(tion. This gives a small rural ...),Health

"This gives a small, rural clinic like ours a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring our patients the type of technology they'd typically have to travel for," said Stephanie Wooton, Hazard Clinic Administrator. "The case for EMR is clear and convincing. Yet, as a community-based organization, we likely wouldn't have been able to transform our recordkeeping without this offer. Now, not only do we expect the Centricity EMR to save us money by increasing efficiencies, it will empower our staff to deliver the topnotch care our patients deserve. Frankly, that's the most exciting part."

Under the HITECH Act of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), federal stimulus funds won't become available for EMRs until 2011 and the federal government has yet to set specific guidelines for determining what constitutes a "qualified" system. To overcome these barriers to immediate adoption of EMRs, GE is making an unparalleled commitment to support our customers' ability to meet "meaningful use" standards. GE is now offering its HITECH Warranty for Centricity EMR and Centricity Enterprise solutions and zero-interest funding with deferred payments to qualified buyers so they can have immediate access to this technology without the up-front capital costs.

"Electronic medical records are designed to assist providers in improving patient outcomes, and reducing medical errors and costs," said Vishal Wanchoo, president and CEO of GE Healthcare IT. "However, significant financial barriers are making healthcare providers hesitant to adopt the technology. Between the large upfront capital investment required in these challenging economic times and the uncertainty of the criteria to earn government incentive payments, small practices and facilities in rural areas and inner cities may decide the risks don't outweigh the potential benefits. GE's zero-interest interim funding and certification warranty provide doctors, communi
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