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2010 InterQual Release Features Technology and Evidence-Based Content to Improve Quality of Care and Drive EfficienciesApril 21, 2010 |
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McKesson’s Latest Version of Criteria and Software Sets Stage for Enhancements Coming Soon McKesson today announced the release of its 2010 InterQual ® Criteria , the leading evidence-based clinical decision support used by health plans, hospitals and government agencies to manage healthcare appropriately and consistently. The recent release includes innovations to improve care quality and discharge planning, expanded clinical content and technology enhancements to improve the user experience. In a continuing process to advance the InterQual offering, more updates are scheduled for later this year including further expansion of clinical content within McKesson’s Clear Coverage™ , the InterQual auto authorization solution, and a new InterQual services initiative. This release builds in more guidance for effectively and efficiently managing the complex and chronic conditions that are most likely to lead to preventable readmissions. Two valuable tools are introduced within the InterQual Criteria sets that address inpatient care. The new Quality Indicator Checklists are an easy-to-use feature that helps organizations make care-related decisions for common chronic conditions such as congestive heart failure, pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease based on national guidelines. The interactive format also enables standardized data capture and documentation. Transition Plan Guidelines are the second piece of the new InterQual quality of care enhancement tools. The discharge planning guides for select conditions make it easier for care managers to monitor hospital patients at risk for readmission from the moment they arrive at a facility and proactively manage them to ensure transitions to the appropriate care setting at the right time. While care managers are performing a medical necessity review, they are prompted to use a Transition Plan Guideline or Quality Indicator Checklist or both, based on the condition. Also added for enhanced quality care are new criteria in the InterQual Acute Adult and Pediatric solutions to align a select number of common conditions with specific treatments or interventions. This alignment enables users to more readily determine appropriateness of care and consider appropriate interventions proactively. “This latest version of our criteria and software focuses on quality and discharge planning, truly expanding InterQual’s leadership in the world of care management,” said Rose Higgins, vice president of care coordination for McKesson Health Solutions. “The release also adds content to one of the most cutting edge areas of healthcare, molecular diagnostics. We now have criteria for a total of more than 400 tests in both our CareEnhance ® Review Manager software and Clear Coverage solution. We will soon expand our auto authorization content further into new content areas such as InterQual level of care criteria, further linking the workflows between payors and providers.” The 2010 InterQual release also features enhanced workflow efficiencies and communication capabilities to help lower costs and improve ease-of-use. InterQual ® View can be loaded onto individual computers or an organization’s intranet and provides users with convenient electronic access to the criteria, informational notes, and evidence-based medicine citations and references. This new, environment-friendly technology is perfect for users transitioning from books. “As we continue to evolve InterQual to better meet our customers’ changing needs, we will always ensure the integrity of InterQual content. At the same time, we also realize the importance of services that add value,” said Higgins. “On the horizon is our flexible learning management Web site, InterQual ® Learning Source, through which users will be able to access Web-based training resources, enroll in virtual or instructor-led training and print reference materials.” About McKesson McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 15th on the FORTUNE 500, is a healthcare services and information technology company dedicated to helping its customers deliver high-quality healthcare by reducing costs, streamlining processes, and improving the quality and safety of patient care. McKesson has been in continuous operation for more than 175 years, making it the longest-operating company in healthcare today. Over the course of its history, McKesson has grown by providing pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management across the spectrum of care; healthcare information technology for hospitals, physicians, homecare and payors; hospital and retail pharmacy automation; and services for manufacturers and payors designed to improve outcomes for patients. For more information, visit us at www.mckesson.com .
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McKesson Health Solutions
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