New & Improved

Vanguard Looking to Lead With AccuSpeech

AccuSpeech provides the development layer of connectivity between voice recognition engines and applications, enabling voice input for data in forms on mobile devices, turning speech into information at the point of action. AccuSpeech enables Windows application developers to embed speech into the application through a graphic development tool set, allowing companies to use voice as a data input method for most applications.

The AccuSpeech solution includes:

• AccuSpeech Client 2.0 — a multi-platform voice-recognition software package that resides in each voice-enabled target device, such as a PDA, tablet, laptop or desktop PC that captures speech entry for eForms.

• AccuSpeech SDK 2.0 — an integrated set of object inspection, grammar development and audio testing tools presented in a graphical environment. It includes the AccuSpeech Studio which provides a platform for voice enabling eForm applications, adding voice features and optimizing audio processing.

Omnicell Flexes Muscles

Omnicell, Inc., Orlando, has introduced new management, security and tracking enhancements to its OptiFlex SS supply management system for hospital surgical services units.

OptiFlex SS is a physician preference card system as well as a perpetual inventory management system for supply management requirements of the surgical services department. It is an integrated system for managing supplies in closed cabinets and open shelves in surgical services units.

New enhancements to OptiFlex SS include:

• The ability to globally manage items across preference cards and physicians, promoting accuracy and eliminating manual work.

• Security improvements, including bolstered system password and user timeout features as required by HIPAA.

• The ability to track expiration date, lot number, and serial numbers via bar-code scanning, eliminating manual tracking.

AeroScout Looking for Assets

New features include a built-in temperature monitor and motion sensor that provides transmission control based on movement of the tag, improving real-time location accuracy. Most customers can expect more than four years of battery life, according to company claims.

The temperature sensor provides an additional stream of asset management data for environment-sensitive assets, enabling the tag to wirelessly trigger a remote alert if the temperature goes above or below a certain threshold.

Per-Se e-Shifting Schedules

eShift 2.5 is the latest version of the company's Web-based staffing and open-shift management solution that complements its Ansos One-Staff enterprise workforce management solution for hospitals.

The solution enables clinical managers to restrict visibility into open shifts based on the required clinical skill set and time. With the multi-tiered release of open shifts, managers can first offer newly opened shifts to the ideal group of employees, such as part-time employees. If the shift goes unfilled by the preferred employee group, the supervisor can set date thresholds to widen the pool gradually to other groups of eligible people (such as per diem staff).

Making Documents Smarter

Atlanta-based Smart Document Solutions (SDS), a provider of health information management services and solutions, has released its new electronic workflow claims attachment solution, Smart Attachment Manager (SAM).

SAM — a Web-based tool for business offices in hospitals, health systems or large, multi-site clinics — allows providers to submit additional medical-record information to payers in an electronic manner.

Specifically, the SAM solution includes:

• Electronic medical record transmission, scanning or faxing of medical records into SAM by departments upon automated request.

• Delivery to the payer following a review and approval. Delivery is available for all participating payers and may be delivered in many formats to include electronic transfer, fax, print/mail.

• Reporting to track status of claims and measure revenue-cycle impact.

Funds on the Move

PaySpan Health — offered at no charge to providers — aims to reduce provider settlement expenses, eliminate the problem of delayed payments, and eliminate rekeying of remittance data because payment information can be imported directly into practice management or health information systems.

According to the company, PaySpan Health works with current platforms and processes and does not require changes to existing accounting systems. The service can be implemented in as little as eight weeks, Payformance Health states.

PortAuthority Driving Security

PortAuthority's new functionality includes automated discovery capabilities to help organizations locate and protect sensitive or confidential information across The PortAuthority ILP Appliance the network, as well as policy management support for multi-national and distributed organizations.

The company works to provide security solutions that control the unauthorized distribution of sensitive information for data privacy, confidential information protection, and compliance with regulations such as Sarbanes-Oxley and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.