Sharp Rees-Stealy to Deploy Allscripts Electronic Health Record System; Medical Group is Part of Largest Healthcare Network in San Diego

Business Wire, Jan 10, 2005

CHICAGO & SAN DIEGO -- Allscripts Healthcare Solutions (Nasdaq:MDRX), the leading provider of clinical software, connectivity and information solutions that physicians use to improve healthcare, announced that Sharp HealthCare has signed an enterprise agreement to deploy the TouchWorks(TM) electronic health record (EHR) system at Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group to more than 300 physicians across 11 locations. Sharp Rees-Stealy, which is part of Sharp HealthCare, one of the nation's leading integrated healthcare delivery networks and named one of the industry's most wired organizations in the country for each of the last six years, will immediately begin deployment of the EHR system.

"The physicians of Sharp Rees-Stealy are eagerly anticipating the arrival of our electronic health record," said Donald C. Balfour, III, M.D., President and Medical Director, Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group. "Since 1923 we have been committed to providing the very best care and service to our patients and this new technology will help to improve our patient satisfaction. In the near future, vital information will be at the physician's fingertips and allow our patients to be more personally involved in their care."

The TouchWorks EHR will automate common tasks, such as capturing charges, placing lab orders, writing prescriptions, and documenting patient visits, and reduce or eliminate the need for paper records. Sharp Rees-Stealy physicians will have real-time access to clinical information and instant access to patient data from any clinic or even from home via a secure Internet connection.

"We conducted extensive research on various EHR products and determined that Allscripts was the best fit for the demanding requirements of our busy physician practices," said Donna Mills, Senior Vice President, Sharp Rees-Stealy. "We have more than 900,000 charts, so it is critical that we are able to deliver vital patient information quickly and securely via a click on the keyboard. We are eager to begin working with Allscripts, who has demonstrated that they are committed to our success."

According to Bill Spooner, Sharp HealthCare's Chief Information Officer, Sharp Rees-Stealy will integrate the TouchWorks EHR with the medical group's existing IDX Flowcast(TM) revenue cycle management solution.

"Rolling out the EHR with Sharp Rees-Stealy is the first step in an eventual system-wide implementation of TouchWorks in the physician office setting for Sharp HealthCare," said Spooner, who led Sharp's selection team, which included physicians, administrators and nursing staff. "Given the number of ways we deliver care and the multitude of locations in both the physician practice and hospital settings, we believe that the system we selected will perform very effectively in this complex environment."

"Sharp is known as one of the best managed, most wired healthcare organizations in America and has consistently demonstrated a commitment to lead the way in delivering world-class healthcare to its patients," stated Glen Tullman, chief executive officer of Allscripts. "Sharp's selection of Allscripts adds another leading client, broadens our already significant penetration in California and will provide us with a great partner to further improve our TouchWorks EHR."

About Sharp HealthCare

Consistently ranked as the number-one integrated healthcare system by Modern Healthcare, Sharp HealthCare is San Diego's most comprehensive healthcare delivery system, recognized for clinical excellence in cardiac care, women's services, cancer, orthopedics, multi-organ transplants, rehabilitation and behavioral health services. The Sharp system includes four acute care hospitals, three specialty hospitals and three affiliated medical groups -- Sharp Rees-Stealy, Sharp Mission Park and Sharp Community Medical Group. In 2002, Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women was named one of the top ten places in the U.S. to have a baby, according to FitPregnancy Magazine. The 2003 Hospitals and Health Care Networks named Sharp one of its "100 Most Wired" health systems. For more information, visit www.sharp.com.

About Allscripts Healthcare Solutions

Allscripts Healthcare Solutions (AHS) is the leading provider of clinical software, connectivity and information solutions that physicians use to improve healthcare. The Company's TouchWorks(TM) software is an Electronic Health Record (EHR) that enhances physician productivity by automating the most common physician activities including prescribing, dictating, capturing charges, ordering labs and viewing results, providing patient education, and documenting clinical encounters. TouchWorks is available on the latest Tablet PCs, wireless handheld devices, desktop workstations and over the Internet. AHS also offers electronic document imaging and scanning solutions through its Advanced Imaging Concepts subsidiary. Additionally, AHS provides healthcare product education and market research programs for physicians through its Physicians Interactive(TM) unit and medication fulfillment services through its Allscripts Direct(TM) unit. Visit AHS on the Web at www.allscripts.com.