Direct feedback to providers on a potential adverse situation occurs when indicated.
Physicians receive phone calls directly from the Empire medical directors.
According to Dr. Sokolow, Empire s decision to develop and implement the SARA program stemmed from concern that as outpatient volumes were rising, the chance for less quality oversight in outpatient areas increases, and could result in medical errors such as pharmaceutical errors. In addition, the system assists in the prevention and management of disease. The software is used for early risk management, with early identification and management of risk factors capable with the system. Dr. Sokolow discussed the technical and operational challenges Empire faced in implementing the system. The technical challenges included the development of the data warehouse and the integration of data from various sources.