3M Indicator Measurement System to Include JCAHO Core Measures

    SALT LAKE CITY--Oct. 11, 2001--Hospitals will be 
able to collect and easily report core measures data for review by the 
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) 
with the release of a new version of the 3M indicator measurement 
system. The 3M indicator measurement system, a sophisticated data 
analysis tool from 3M Health Information Systems Division, works in 
conjunction with the MEDSTAT IMSystem to meet the JCAHO's ORYX 
reporting requirements for performance measurement. The 3M software, 
upgraded to include hospital core measures, will be available in the 
second quarter of 2002.
    Scott Slivka, product evolution manager for 3M Health Information 
Systems' Data Innovation business unit, says that health care providers 
will be required to begin collecting specific core measures data July 
1, 2002. The first transmission of this data to JCAHO must take place 
no later than January 2003. "Hospitals understand the critical need to 
start preparing to meet this national mandate for meaningful measures 
of patient outcomes," says Slovak. "3M is working hand in hand with 
MEDSTAT to incorporate JCAHO's hospital core measures into our existing 
ORYX reporting solution, the 3M indicator measurement system, as well 
as manage and monitor the data collection and reporting process for the 
MEDSTAT IMSystem."
    The ORYX initiative, introduced in February 1997, integrates 
performance measurement data into the JCAHO accreditation process, 
thereby providing the critical link between accreditation and the 
outcomes of patient care. The four initial core measures to be 
implemented by JCAHO in 2002 will assess hospital care of patients with 
the following conditions: acute myocardial infarction; community-
acquired pneumonia; heart failure; and pregnancy and related conditions.
    The 3M indicator measurement system is specifically designed to 
integrate the collection of hospital performance measurement data with 
a hospital's existing departmental data gathering process using 3M 
health data management technology. This comprehensive suite of software 
applications provides integrated solutions for patient data 
abstracting, utilization and quality management, as well as the JCAHO 
ORYX initiative. Using the 3M indicator measurement system, hospitals 
can reconcile errors or discrepancies before transmitting patient data 
for the required episodes of care to the MEDSTAT reference database for 
processing and submission to JCAHO.
    More information about the 3M indicator measurement system is 
available at www.3Mhis.com/us/products/ims, or by calling 1-800-367-
2447.
    3M Health Information Systems is an international leader in 
clinical information management with products ranging from medical 
records coding systems to a comprehensive computer-based patient record 
system. Home Health Systems, consulting, implementation, training and 
process improvement services are also provided. 3M products are based 
on open architecture and industry standards; they interface with legacy 
systems and offer fast implementation and a timely return on 
investment. 3M Health Information Systems is a division of 3M, a 
diversified technology company with a health care business consisting 
of over 10,000 medical, surgical, consumer, home health care, dental 
and pharmaceutical products.

    3M is a trademark of the 3M company.


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             Mollie Houns, 952/920-
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