LENEXA, Kan., Oct. 31, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Mediware Information Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:MEDW) announced that ViaHealth's Rochester General Hospital, an acute care and teaching facility, has activated the latest release of Mediware's electronic medication administration record, MediMAR(tm).
MediMAR produces a dynamic and complete representation of a patient's medication profile, including clinician orders, medication list, allergies, and notes specific to medication administration or alerts that increase patient safety. The activation of MediMAR was completed as part of Rochester General's objective of improving patient safety and reducing the number of medication errors.
Rochester General Hospital, a 526-bed acute care facility, is a regional leader in healthcare. It offers an array of services including the Rochester Heart Institute, the Lipson Cancer Center, the Twig Birthing Center, Orthopaedics, Women's Health, Primary Care, Surgical Services, Rehabilitative Services, Pain Management, Behavioral Health and Emergency Services.
Upon admission to Rochester General, every patient is given a bracelet that contains a bar code. Each time a medication is administered, the patient's bracelet is scanned, the nurse's ID is scanned, and the medication is scanned. If a medication is incorrect for that patient, or if the dosage is incorrect or is being given at the wrong time, an alert is issued. Hospital officials say the system serves to back up medication administration protocols by its staff, thereby reducing the likelihood of human error.
Rochester General intends to continue the successful rollout of the MediMAR technology. The hospital's clinicians have quickly observed how the software capabilities and performance benefit patient care processes. "As with any change in routine, some nurses were reluctant at first to embrace MediMAR, but now you couldn't take it away from them," said Doug Hosie, Pharmacy Systems Administrator, Rochester General.
A long-time Mediware customer, the recent activation of MediMAR is the latest of the implementation projects Mediware and Rochester General have completed together. In 1999, Rochester General successfully implemented the Mediware WORx(r) solution. WORx is a revolutionary new drug-therapy management system created for the clinically focused healthcare enterprise. It is the only pharmacy information system combining advanced best-of-breed clinical functionality with leading-edge technology to access data, share expertise, and integrate with other systems.
About ViaHealth
ViaHealth is an integrated health care delivery system serving communities throughout greater Rochester, New York and the Finger Lakes region. Affiliates of ViaHealth include: The Rochester General Hospital, ViaHealth of Wayne, the Behavioral Health Network of mental health and substance abuse programs, and the Continuing Care Network, which includes Hill Haven, Independent Living for Seniors, ViaHealth Home Care and ViaHealth Home Care II.
ViaHealth is working to serve as a model integrated delivery system with the goal of improving the health status of the communities it serves. Through partnership, ViaHealth strives not only for efficiency as new demands are placed on its providers but also to assure the continuation of the values that have been the longtime hallmarks of its forerunners.
About Mediware
Mediware Information Systems, Inc., founded in 1980, is a leading provider of best-of-breed clinical information systems to the health care industry in three areas: pharmacies, blood banks and surgical suites. More than 1100 systems are installed in hospitals and health care institutions in the United States and around the world.
Its products include HCLL(tm) Transfusion, HCLL(tm) Donor, LifeTrak(r), IIE(tm) (Instrument Interface Engine), Hemocare(r), LifeLine(tm) (Blood Bank), WORx(r), MediCOE(tm), MediMAR(tm), Pharmakon(r) and Digimedics(tm) (Medication Management), Surgiware(tm) and Perioperative Solutions(tm) (Operating Room), as well as the JAC Electronic Prescribing, Medicine Administration and Pharmacy Stock Control system in the United Kingdom.
Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Act") and in releases made by the SEC from time to time. Such forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2005, which may cause the actual results of the Company to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update its forward-looking statements.