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Molecular Launches Web Site for Health Care Industry Collaborative Devoted to Improving Patient Care in Massachusetts

Posted on: Wednesday, 27 July 2005, 09:00 CDT

One of the Nation's Most Ambitious Efforts, Massachusetts e-Health Collaborative (MAeHC) Sets Model for Expanding Electronic Health Records Statewide

Molecular, Inc., a leading technology consulting firm, today announced that it has launched a new Web site for the Massachusetts e-Health Collaborative (MAeHC), a non-profit health care collaborative devoted to establishing an electronic health record system to enhance the quality, safety and cost-effectiveness of medical care in Massachusetts. The goal of the site is to help all healthcare organizations in Massachusetts overcome the barriers to adopting electronic health records.

With funding from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA), MAeHC selected Molecular to complete the initiative due to the company's track record of proven success with projects completed for the organization, including the creation of BCBSMA's member self-service portal, which won two Gold awards for Best Interactive Site and Best Overall Site from the 2004 eHealthcare Leadership Awards.

Addressing current trends in the healthcare industry, MAeHC's Web site promotes the adoption of electronic health records for patient and physician benefit, as quick access to medical records has been shown to improve patient care, reduce costs, eliminate the unnecessary duplication of services and expedite services by removing the need to re-create records every time a patient sees a new doctor. Recently, the shift toward electronic health records has been at the top of the national healthcare agenda. As the U.S. government has set a goal for a nationwide system of interoperable e-health records to be implemented by 2014, MAeHC serves as a leader for healthcare organizations nationwide as it moves forward proactively in realizing its vision of better care for the citizens of Massachusetts.

Launched this month, the new Web site will serve as a powerful promotional tool and communication vehicle for MAeHC both nationally and locally. The site will include information about the organization as well as provide a secure, password-protected area in which the three selected pilot communities of Greater Brockton, Greater Newburyport and Northern Berkshire can share information, post questions and document best practices to adopting electronic health records. Ultimately, the goal is for their pilot communities to be able to share their expertise with all other communities in Massachusetts.

To complete the initiative, Molecular donated a team of engineers, information architects and designers to develop and implement a practical and effective Web solution to replace the site that MAeHC had previously created and maintained in-house. Molecular introduced a new content management system to streamline internal information management and publish content faster. In addition, Molecular implemented a cost-effective solution for the organization by leveraging the existing technical infrastructure of the Web site and building the new site so that it can be easily maintained.

"Originally, our Web site was informative, not interactive," said Micky Tripathi, President and Chief Executive Officer for MAeHC. "Molecular helped us create a site that reflects the collaborative mission of our organization. The site allows communities and individuals to share resources and collectively learn how to build a comprehensive health information infrastructure that is trusted by clinicians and patients alike."

The MAeHC project is one of many pro-bono projects that Molecular has completed for Boston-area organizations over the years. Other projects include Boston Cares, Alternative House and the Ballet Theatre of Boston.

"Helping our community has always been an important part of our company's culture," said Howard Kogan, chief operating officer and vice president of client services for Molecular. "MAeHC is a great organization that is dedicated to using information technology to improve patient care, and we are glad that we have been able to play a significant role in the work they do by helping their users locate, use and share information easier."

MAeHC's Web site can be viewed at www.maehc.org.

About MAeHC

The Massachusetts eHealth Collaborative was formed in 2004 as an initiative of the physician community to bring together the state's major health care stakeholders for the purpose of establishing an electronic health records (EHR) system that would enhance the quality, efficiency and safety of care in Massachusetts. The value of EHRs is widely acknowledged, but the significant capital and time required to implement such a system are frequently cited as significant barriers to adoption. It has been estimated that universal statewide adoption of EHRs would cost at least $1.5 billion. The Collaborative is fortunate to have a $50 million commitment from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts to fund its demonstration project phase. By pooling the resources, talent and experience of its 34-member organizations and participating pilot communities, the Collaborative hopes to achieve a major leap forward in realizing its visions of better care for the citizens of the Commonwealth.

About Molecular, Inc.

Molecular, a technology consulting firm, designs and builds Internet-based solutions to help companies increase revenues and decrease operating costs. For over 11 years, Molecular has directed successful Web initiatives for the nation's top companies, including Analog Devices, Fidelity Investments, Hewlett Packard, MFS, JP Morgan, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Talbots and The TJX Companies, Inc. For more information, contact Molecular at http://www.molecular.com or at 617.218.6500. Molecular is located in Watertown, Massachusetts.

Source: Business Wire

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