EPN - Electronic Prescribing News

Clinical Information Provider Helps Healthcare Information Technology Vendors
                          Increase Adoption and Use

    SAN MATEO, Calif., Feb. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Epocrates announced today that

its widely adopted mobile and web-based clinical applications can now be

linked to products developed by healthcare information system (HIS) partners.

The Epocrates Linx(TM) Partner Program enables developers of mobile and

desktop health information solutions, such as electronic medical records

(EMRs) and ePrescribing applications, to integrate their systems and data with

Epocrates solutions.

    "With national and local initiatives underway to encourage adoption of

EMRs and other healthcare information technologies, this announcement could

not come at a better time," said John Halamka, MD, CIO of Harvard Medical

School. "The ability to integrate Epocrates trusted products with new

applications will help clinicians become more comfortable and open to

incorporating more technology into their daily practice."

    The incorporation of Epocrates solutions with EMRs and other HIS

technologies promises to assist physicians in providing better patient care.

In a recent survey of Epocrates customers, more than 75 percent of physicians

reported they are more likely to use an EMR system if it is coupled with

Epocrates' clinical applications. In addition, more than 90 percent believe

they can make more informed and confident decisions with the integrated

solution.

    Epocrates currently partners with multiple healthcare IT developers of

hospital-based, ambulatory care and multi-environment solutions. Epocrates'

collaboration with partners such as, Allscripts, DrFirst, InstantDx,

MercuryMD, PatientKeeper and SOAPware, increases interoperability among

technologies and offers clinicians one convenient location for patient and

clinical information via mobile devices or Internet connection.

    "Since its inception, Epocrates has been the leading developer of clinical

reference solutions, proving that clinicians will enthusiastically embrace

technology that assists in the improvement of patient safety and care on a

daily basis. By working with Epocrates, we have found that our systems are

becoming more valuable and viable during physician-patient interactions," said

Randall Oates, MD, President, SOAPware, Inc.

    Epocrates Linx allows HIS vendors to download the Epocrates application

program interface (API) to create a customized user interface within their

system. Vendors have the ability to embed hyperlinks within their HIS systems

that will lead users directly to the relevant information in Epocrates'

reference applications, increasing efficiency and convenience for clinicians.

This seamless integration allows clinicians to move from one application to

another, enabling them to review a patient record and then immediately access

Epocrates' clinical information, including dosing, drug interactions, pricing,

health plan coverage and more.

    "The marriage of our popular applications and our partners' real-time

patient data enables clinicians to access critical information -- from

potential drug side effects to patient vaccination history -- seamlessly and

instantaneously," said Kirk Loevner, chairman and chief executive officer for

Epocrates. "By working with current and future partners to connect our

applications, we are supporting the needs of our customers and helping improve

care for their patients."

    Epocrates mobile and Internet-based products, including Epocrates Rx(R)

and Epocrates(R) Online free drug and formulary applications, are used by more

than 500,000 healthcare professionals. To learn more about the Epocrates and

the Linx Partner Program, visit

http://www2.epocrates.com/services/integration .

    ABOUT EPOCRATES, INC.

    San Mateo, Calif.-based Epocrates is transforming the practice of medicine

by providing innovative clinical solutions at the point of care and deploying

leading-edge technologies that enable communication. The company has built a

clinical network connecting more than 500,000 healthcare professionals,

including one in four U.S. physicians and nearly one in two U.S. medical

students, with the healthcare industry. Epocrates' products have shown a

positive impact on patient safety, healthcare efficiency and patient

satisfaction. Epocrates was recently ranked 257 in the 24th annual Inc.500

ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in the country. For more

information about Epocrates, please visit http://www.epocrates.com.