Physician Referral Collaboration Software

HW 1 for Melinda Young

Links describing this technology:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2009_Feb_18/ai_n31359688/
http://www.visionsatwork.biz/whatispreferr.html

Description:
Visions@Work is a company that has developed a collaboration software product, called Preferr, for use by physicians. The software allows physicians to refer their patients to other physicians, as long as those physicians are Preferr users. Preferr charges physicians on a subscription basis and operates as a “Software as a Service” web-based application. This reduces the amount of setup time and cost for physicians. The physicians benefit from this software because the software reduces the time required to create a referral and increases the amount of referrals received.

Use Case:
Refer Patient: A physician logs on to Preferr and enters patient information (or searches for an existing patient). That physician initiates a referral by selecting a provider. The physician then has the option to upload or fax any relevant clinical information about the patient, such as x-rays or lab results. The receiving physician can accept or deny the referral, or request additional information. Both physicians are able to message each other through Preferr in order to discuss the patient.

Standards:
This software does not appear to be using any industry-wide software standards however it does conform to the HIPAA regulations regarding patient privacy.