Microsoft has joined Partners for Patients, a US
alliance of hardware, software, networking and medical device
manufacturers in an effort to make clinical information technology
more affordable and accessible for small medical
practices.
Bill Crounse, Microsoft's global industry manager for
healthcare, said, "We support the American Academy of Family
Physicians (AAFP) and its four principles and look forward to
working with the organisation to assist its members in reaching
their full potential."
The AAFP was set up in November and bases its supplier
agreements on the principles of affordability, compatibility,
interoperability and data stewardship.
The addition of Microsoft and the SureScripts electronic
prescribing network within the past two weeks brings the list of
participating companies to "12 or 13".
Other suppliers include A4 Health Systems, Docs, GE Medical
Systems Information Technologies, MedPlexus, NextGen Healthcare
Information Systems, Physician Micro Systems, Hewlett-Packard,
MedPlus, Siemens Medical Solutions Health Services and
Welch-Allyn.
All have agreed to discount their services by 15% to 50% for the
more than 94,000 members of the AAFP.
Neil Versel writes for Health-IT World
