Press Release
Meta Health Technology Announces Implementation of PowerAbstract by Capital Health in Alberta, Canada
New York, NY — Capital Health, one of Canada's largest academic-based health systems based out of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, has recently completed implementation of the Canadian version of Meta Health Technology's PowerAbstract software at eight facilities and six satellites.
The Regional Abstracting Project was initiated in April 2000 to guide the selection and implementation of an abstracting, coding and reporting information system to replace the six disparate systems that were in use across the health region. Capital Health's executive team searched for a new, regional system that would better position the region to comply with ICD-10-CA/CCI and Canadian Institute For Health Information (CIHI) regulatory requirements that became mandatory after March 31st, 2002.
In October 2000, the region issued a Request For Proposals to solicit the marketplace for possible solutions. The Meta Health PowerAbstract and 3M Codefinder applications were selected because they best matched the region's requirements.
In addition to facilitating compliance with regulatory requirements, there are a number of anticipated benefits of implementing a regional system. According to Jo Kucher, Regional Director, Patient Information Services, these benefits include:
- facilitation of consistent business practices
- support for consistent data collection
- timely, improved reporting from a common database
- reduced maintenance effort and cost.
In January 2001, Capital Health and Meta sat down to develop the project plan and objectives. The resulting detailed strategy called for implementing the hospitals in a sequence that would ensure a smooth transition to the new software with minimal interruption for the user community.
The strategy mapped out a late June to early December timeline. “The aggressive timeline was designed to ensure that Health Record staff have enough lead-time to become familiar with the regional system before the new regulatory requirements come into effect on April 1st, 2002,” said Troy Clarke, Project Manager, Information Systems for Capital Health.
Eli Nahmias, Meta's President, is delighted with the success of the endeavor. “With proper planning and excellent execution by both Capital Health and Meta, we were able to complete this project on time and on budget. We are very proud of our achievement in this complex project, and we look forward to many more successful implementations, both in the US and in Canada.”
Meta's first Canadian client, Capital Health implemented Meta's CHARMS 2000 chart management products in 2000.
About Meta Health Technology
Meta Health Technology is a full-service provider of health information management solutions for hospitals, physician group practices and long- term care facilities across the United States and Canada. Headquartered in New York City, the company has served the healthcare industry exclusively for 30 years. Meta's clients range from small community hospitals to many of the largest and most prestigious medical facilities across the United States and in Canada. The company provides a level of client service that is unmatched in the industry.
Meta's CHARMS 2000™ is a comprehensive suite of HIM applications designed to automate and augment critical HIM functions, including abstracting and coding, physician query, RAC management, chart tracking, chart analysis and completion, release of information, document management, electronic medical record, electronic signature, reporting and compliance, and department management.
Source: Meta Health Technology Inc
Meta Health Technology
Barbara Goldenberg, 800.334.6840
