The second vendor we used, Cymedix, of Thousand Oaks, Calif., provided a universal interface that pulls data from the physician's practice management system to prevent double data entry. The software can calculate a compliance ratio indicating whether the patient is refilling medications on time, and provides a prescription-writing tool. We chose Cymedix even though it did not offer a PDA at the time. Cymedix provided a patented program, which can be loaded onto the physician's personal computer. It allows real-time access to prescription profile history review.
Users can print the information for a patient's chart.
After review of the history, the doctor can fax or phone the prescription to the patient's pharmacy. To implement the system, we could use existing computer hardware and a low-bandwidth Internet connection. In order to enroll a physician in the Cymedix program, Lifeguard identified high prescribers in the network. Then we contacted qualified physicians to discuss the program elements, and to receive buy-in for implementation of the system. Cymedix technologically fitted the pilot sites and provided in-service training as well as ongoing technical support.