Cerner
(
CERN
), a leading healthcare information technology ("HCIT") solutions
provider, recently revealed a larger role with Adventist Health,
which is a non-profit, faith-based unified health care delivery
system on the Pacific coast. Over 130 outpatient centers will be
benefited by the digitization of health care processes at Adventist
Health.
Adventist Health has been a leader in adopting healthcare
information technology. It began using Cerner's Electronic Health
Record ("EHR") in inpatient settings way back in 2001. Home care
agencies of Adventist Health started using Cerner BeyondNow in
2009. The broader scope of their relationship will provide synergy
for the homecare know-how and hospital EHR with the adoption of
Cerner Ambulatory EHR offerings.
Enhanced interoperability between the acute, post acute and
ambulatory settings will permit Adventist Health to improve
coordination of care as patients shift through the health system.
Following the integration of outpatient records, clinicians will
now have secure and instant access to the entire
chart.
Cerner and Adventist Health are also together working on several
other projects aimed at digitizing patient care. These include
Cerner's Best in Klas Remote Hosting Option, which provides sound
data center services.
We believe long-term investors may consider Cerner, which serves
a sizeable installed hospital base that requires composite
clinically-focused applications complying with "meaningful use"
requirements, reimbursement problems and complex coding challenges.
The company has long-standing, integrated and seamless solutions
for both inpatient and ambulatory settings.
On the negative side, the federal Stimulus program will
gradually wind down. Moreover, the favorable growth prospects are
already factored into the stock price and the risk-reward trade-off
is fairly poised. Cerner faces stiff competition from established
HCIT players, such as
Athenahealth
(
ATHN
),
Allscripts-Misys
(
MDRX
) and
Quality Systems
(
QSII
) and many others in a crowded field.
ATHENAHEALTH IN (
ATHN
): Free Stock Analysis Report
CERNER CORP (
CERN
): Free Stock Analysis Report
ALLSCRIPTS HLTH (
MDRX
): Free Stock Analysis Report
QUALITY SYS (
QSII
): Free Stock Analysis Report
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