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WORCESTER, Mass., May 26, 2009 — Fallon Clinic, a large, multi-specialty medical group practice in Central Massachusetts, has been selected by the Association of Medical Directors of Information Systems (AMDIS), a non-profit organization representing over 1,800 physicians,  as a recipient of its annual award recognizing excellence in applied medical informatics. Fallon Clinic is one of only eight winners chosen across the United States.

Among its many successful technology endeavors, Fallon Clinic’s Information Technology (IT) department developed electronic interfaces to four regional hospitals to captureits patients’clinical information and load it into the patient’s electronic health record (EHR) at Fallon Clinic. Fallon Clinic is also working on amore generalized health information exchange system called SAFEHealth.org which is designed to simplify the patient consent process and to integrate clinical data directly into other healthcare facilities’ EHRs. In addition, Fallon Clinic has loaded over 15 years of detailed clinical information on its patients into its EHR. These advancements allow physicians at Fallon Clinic to have a more comprehensive view of their patients’ medical history and to provide the highest level of service and quality of care.

“This is how medicine should be practiced throughout the country,” says Larry Garber, M.D., Medical Director for Informatics, Fallon Clinic. “I can look into my patient’s electronic health record and know everything about them, regardless of when or where their care took place.  The information is well organized and easy to find during an office visit.  I often know more about my patients’ medical history than they can remember about themselves.”

The AMDIS Award acknowledges accomplishments that advance the application of information systems and computer technology in healthcare. Winners of this award were chosen based on their demonstration of a successful medical information system; use of information systems to improve patient care; use of information technology to support a more effective medical practice; and the use of information systems to improve workflow and contain healthcare costs. 

“Our IT department is a very talented team,” says Chris Diguette, Director of Application Systems, Fallon Clinic. “They have successfully implemented our EHR with decision support, advanced interfaces and a home-grown integration engine that is highly reliable and secure.  I’m very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish for our physicians, staff, and patients.”

All recipients of this award will be honored at AMDIS’ 18th annual Physician-Computer Connection Symposium on July 14-17 in Ojai, California. Winners will also be included in the July 13 issue of leading healthcare publications Modern Healthcare and Modern Physician.

About Fallon Clinic
Fallon Clinic, a non-profit organization, is a large, multi-specialty group practice in Central Massachusetts. Fallon Clinic physicians and healthcare professionals offer the region’s most comprehensive array of primary care and specialty services, supported with cutting-edge technologies and service-oriented processes. Founded in 1929 by a team of physicians from the Mayo Clinic led by Dr. John Fallon, Fallon Clinic continues to grow and thrive. Based in Worcester, Fallon Clinic has over 1,700 employees and approximately 250 physicians who see patients in more than 20 locations, including the Worcester Medical Center. Fallon Clinic accepts a broad range of insurance coverage, including plans from all major Massachusetts’ payers. More information about Fallon Clinic can be found by visiting www.fallonclinic.org.

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