CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa and BOSTON, MA, May 18, 2006 -- Mercy Medical Center today announced it has deployed PatientKeeper(R) software to help physicians save time and enhance patient safety. Mercy is the first hospital in Iowa utilizing this new technology.

PatientKeeper allows physicians to access complete medical records for their patients via wireless mobile devices such as PDAs, Smartphones, tablets, or any computer with a Web browser. Almost 200 Mercy physicians have now been trained to use PatientKeeper software.

PatientKeeper is designed to support physicians throughout their entire day, across all settings of care. Multi-tasking physicians who use PatientKeeper receive patients' electronic records as soon as the information becomes available, and can then respond to that information immediately. This is further enhanced by Mercy's recent move to electronic clinical documentation, which gives physicians real-time access at the time care is given. It essentially frees physicians from having to call the hospital throughout the day to get constantly-changing information on their patients.

Orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Sandeep Munjal was one of the first area physicians to utilize the PatientKeeper technology. "It is very, very helpful. Even if you're out of town you can access patient data," said Munjal. "It has changed my routine. I can have patient information from home or anywhere I like. I don't have to call nurses for lab results or other information I need."

MercyCare family physician Dr. Marc Wilkinson uses a cell phone as his PDA for PatientKeeper. "It allows me to check the status of my patients in a more timely manner and it makes rounds at the hospital easier. I no longer have to search for patient charts or find a free computer terminal," said Wilkinson.

Mercy Medical Center joins more than 300 hospitals nationwide that have already incorporated PatientKeeper as a key part of their physician information system strategy. PatientKeeper clients include physician practices, community hospitals, major medical centers and large health care systems.

"PatientKeeper has been very well adopted, leading to increased physician satisfaction and enhanced patient care and service. Giving our physicians an advantage has given the entire organization an important competitive advantage as well," said A. Jim Tinker, president & CEO of Mercy Medical Center.

Jeff Cash, vice president & CIO at Mercy Medical Center said PatientKeeper is a significant step in the move toward paperless patient charts. "When physicians have the proper tools for easy and timely access to clinical information, the community is the real winner," said Cash. "Patients receive the best health care possible, and the organization remains efficient and competitive."

PatientKeeper is the latest advancement in Mercy Medical Center's ongoing commitment to provide the benefits of leading edge technology to its patients, while continuing to offer the Mercy Touch.

About Mercy Medical Center

Mercy Medical Center is a fully accredited, not-for-profit healthcare organization serving Eastern Iowa offering state-of-the-art technology and services. When the Sisters of Mercy founded Mercy Hospital in 1900, they intended it to be not only "the peer of the best" but also a place of service to the sick and the poor. This vision of care and concern in the midst of high technology is the Sister's heritage. Today, The Mercy Touch(R) is embodied in the nurse who delays her dinner break to help the young mom close to delivering a child; in the housekeeper who holds the hand of an agitated patient while her coworker vacuums; in the volunteer who helps someone out of the elevator and directs a visitor. The Mercy organization exists to improve the health and wellness of the community it serves, and strives to promote excellence in all aspects of its service.

About PatientKeeper

PatientKeeper(R), Inc. provides physicians with software that delivers clinical and financial benefits. Only PatientKeeper is designed to support a physician through the entire day. At any time, anywhere, physicians can access their patients' electronic records, write prescriptions, enter charges, dictate notes, document encounters, place orders, or send secure messages to other caregivers -- all in a single integrated environment. For more information, visit http://www.patientkeeper.com or call 617-987-0300.

Contact:

Stephen S. Hau, PatientKeeper, shau@patientkeeper.com, (617) 987-0304

SOURCE Mercy Medical Center

Related links:

http://www.patientkeeper.com