NextGen Healthcare Information Systems, LLC., a wholly owned subsidiary of Quality Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: QSII) and a leading provider of healthcare information systems and connectivity solutions, announced today it has joined with Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) to develop and launch the NextGen™ MedicineCabinetapplication. This is the first joint consumer-based mobile healthcare information technology solution designed for the Windows 8 platform by NextGen Healthcare and Microsoft.
The NextGen MedicineCabinet allows customers to create, store, track and share personal medication records. With a goal to drive patient engagement, NextGen Healthcare and Microsoft collaborated to leverage the recent launch of the Microsoft Windows 8 platform by creating a consumer-based mobile healthcare IT solution. The end result is an advanced healthcare IT application that enables customers to take an active role in care collaboration, setting the stage for future consumer-based healthcare IT solutions, anywhere and anytime across any mobile network.
The free NextGen MedicineCabinet application, available through the Microsoft app store, enables patients to create and update a list of medications, including dosing and schedule information, thus creating their own “personal” medication record. Users can simply add a medication to the list, enter in dosing requirements and let the application run. Notifications are then sent for each medication and user can confirm compliance.
A personal medication record helps physicians and patients avoid inadvertent inconsistencies across transitions in care by reviewing the patient’s complete medication regimen at the time of admission, transfer and discharge and comparing it with the regimen being considered for the new setting of care.
Leveraging the NextGen MedicineCabinet Application provides a readily accessible, accurate and complete medication record, allowing providers to:
- Identify potential drug-on-drug interactions
- Recognize potentially inappropriate medications
- Reduce duplication of therapies or unnecessary medication
- Ensure appropriate monitoring of medication
- Improve adherence and proper use of medication
- Enhance patients’ understanding of how to properly take their medication and to recognize adverse reactions
“Windows 8 is providing new ways for healthcare IT developers like NextGen to enable consumers to use one device to take charge of their own healthcare and well-being. With the MedicineCabinet app, patients can easily and seamlessly tap, type, or swipe to share and stay connected,” said Dennis Schmuland, M.D., FAAFP, chief health strategy officer of US Health & Life Sciences Microsoft Corporation. “NextGen is leading the way for a new generation of Windows 8 apps that will make it easier for people to proactively manage their health and be in tune with their health risks.”
“Mobile patient engagement is at the forefront of today’s changing healthcare environment providing consumer technology that encourages members to control and lead healthier lifestyles is a key factor in improving outcomes,” explained Ike Ellison executive vice president of business development for NextGen Healthcare. “By leveraging the power and flexibility of the Microsoft Windows 8 platform, we can now provide our customers and patients with an easy online tool that allows them to actively engage in their well-being, ultimately enhancing care delivery and results.”