CCHIT Certified OmniMD ? , a developer of HIPAA compliant Internet-based enterprise healthcare , Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and Practice Management solutions, is pleased to announce its certification by SureScripts?, operator of the Pharmacy Health Information Exchange?. SureScripts ? 's certification allows for interoperability with the nation's community pharmacies , which improves the safety and efficiency of the prescribing process and the quality of patient care. Physicians using Omni MD 's EMR application can now connect directly with local pharmacies connected to the Pharmacy Health Information Exchange, operated by SureScripts ? .

Starting 2009, providers will be able to earn additional money from Medicare if they use electronic prescribing systems, U.S. health officials said Monday.

The bonus program, which will continue for four years, is designed to streamline the prescription process and cut down on errors. In 2009 and 2010, Medicare will give doctors an additional 2 percent bonus on top of their fee for "e-prescribing." In 2011 and 2012, the bonus will drop to 1 percent, and in 2013, the bonus will drop again to 0.5 percent, officials said.

"There are terrific human and financial costs to illegible prescriptions," Mike Leavitt, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said during a Monday afternoon teleconference.

According to the Institute of Medicine , 1.5 million Americans are injured every year by drug errors, Leavitt said. Another study found that each year pharmacists make more than 150 million phone calls to doctors to clarify what was written on the prescription, he added.

"We are dedicated to providing solutions that improve the efficiency of medical practices and the quality of patient care. Omni MD 's Prescription Writer already has a functionality to check for drug interactions, print patient medication sheets, create favorite prescriptions and check prescription coverage at the point of care. Surescripts ? electronic prescribing will certainly improve the efficiency, safety and overall quality of the prescribing process for our customers. ? said Divan Dave, CEO , Omni MD ? .

This certification will allow providers to establish a two-way computer-to-computer connection with the majority of pharmacies in their area. Using this connection, providers can send prescriptions electronically to the patient's pharmacy of choice before the patient leaves the provider's office. Patients will no longer need to worry about losing paper prescriptions or pharmacies having to call offices to verify illegible prescriptions. When a patient needs a prescription refilled, a pharmacy will be able to send the request to the provider's office electronically, eliminating the need for time consuming phone calls and faxes. This will also reduce potential errors with prescriptions due to misread handwriting.

About SureScripts?

Founded by the pharmacy industry in 2001, SureScripts? operates the Pharmacy Health Information Exchange?, which facilitates the secure electronic transmission of prescription information between physicians and pharmacists . This also provides access to lifesaving information about patients during emergencies or routine care. Working collaboratively with health plans, health systems, technology vendors and health policy leaders, SureScripts ? is committed to improving the safety, efficiency, and quality of the prescribing process.

More information about SureScripts ? is available at www.surescripts.com .

About Omni MD ?

CCHIT Certified Omni MD ? is a developer of HIPAA compliant Internet-based enterprise healthcare practice solutions, designed to fully automate the work-flow of contemporary healthcare organizations. The company is a division of Integrated Systems Management, Inc. ? ISM- ( www.ismnet.com ) a leader in Internet consulting and e-business development since 1989 .

Omni MD ? 's suite of products and services empowers hundreds of clinics with the ability to efficiently automate and manage clinical processes and patient information electronically. With its comprehensive and flexible product modules, the suite allows you to choose a customized solution that grows with your practice needs and electronic readiness over a period of time. For additional information, please visit www.omnimd.com