New Welch Allyn EHR Device Certification Program Establishes Criteria, Streamlines Device Connectivity Workflow and Installation Process

Business Wire, Feb 25, 2008

Medical Device Manufacturer Unveiled a Stringent Set of Requirements for the Program at the 2008 HIMSS Show Today in Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Welch Allyn, a leading manufacturer of frontline medical products and solutions, announced today that it has developed a new certification program for vendors of electronic health record (EHR) software that connect to Welch Allyn devices. The company's EHR certification designation is applied to select vendors of software that meets a stringent set of business, product development, service and training requirements as they pertain to the connectivity of the EHR system with select Welch Allyn cardiopulmonary and vital signs devices for the ambulatory care marketplace.

"A formal certification process allows us to establish functionality and service standards for connecting electronic health record system and Welch Allyn vital signs monitors and cardiopulmonary devices," said Steve Meyer, president, USA/Canada & executive vice president, Welch Allyn. "This will help us provide improved functionality and better support for customers that purchase EHR systems with connectivity to Welch Allyn devices as well as streamlined service for our certified partners."

Certified vendors will receive a "seal of certification" from Welch Allyn which will help physicians easily identify those vendors that have been through the company's review process. These vendors will have demonstrated an acceptable level of functionality and service in terms of their EHR systems' connectivity with the following Welch Allyn devices:

* Spot Vital Signs[R]

* Spot Vital Signs[R] LXi

* Vitals Signs Monitor 300 Series

* PC-based Resting ECG

* PC-based Exercise ECG

* PC-based Spiroperfect[TM] Spirometer

"One of our primary goals in establishing a formal certification program for EHR system vendors is to streamline the installation and support process," added Meyer. "By improving the customer experience when installing and operating a Welch Allyn connected device from a certified EHR partner, we can make it easier for practices to take advantages of the quality of care and productivity benefits of device connectivity."

The following software vendors have successfully completed the Welch Allyn certification process and are certified for Welch Allyn device connectivity:

* AllScripts - Touchworks[TM] EHR

* e-ClinicalWorks - e-ClinicalWorks EMR

* e-MDs - e-MDs Solution Series EMR

* GEMMS - GEMMS One[R]

* Greenway Medical Technologies - PrimeSuite EHR

* Henry Schein Medical System - MicroMD EMR

* MediNotes - MediNotes e

* Misys Healthcare - Misys EMR* (met certification requirements based on pre-released version of their software.)

* NextGen Healthcare Systems - NextGen EMR

* Polaris-Danforth - GE Medical Systems Centricity EMR

"Our certification program will assure physicians who are ready to purchase Welch Allyn's latest connectivity-enabled devices that the medical device/EHR exchange will perform at a superior level," added Meyer.

About Welch Allyn

Founded in 1915 and headquartered in Skaneateles Falls, New York (USA), Welch Allyn is a leading global manufacturer of medical diagnostic equipment and a complete range of digital and connected solutions. With over 2,300 employees working in 17 different countries, Welch Allyn specializes in helping doctors, nurses, and other frontline practitioners across the globe provide the best patient care by developing innovative products, breakthrough technologies, and cutting edge solutions that help them see more patients, detect more conditions, and improve more lives. More information about Welch Allyn and its complete line of connected products and solutions may be found at www.welchallyn.com.