Survey Results Show Long-Term Care Providers Wary About Heal

Stamford, CONN. – June 11, 2009 – While more than one-third of home healthcare and nursing home organizations said they expect the government’s economic stimulus package to increase use of healthcare information technology, another 52% said the stimulus package will have little or no impact on their businesses, according to a recent survey by IVANS, Inc.

“Home health and nursing home care is expected to be one of the fastest growing provider segments over the next several years,” said Clare DeNicola, IVANS president and CEO. “IVANS analysis reveals that while providers are optimistic about reform’s ability to improve patient outcomes, budget concerns, understaffing and the lack of clarity in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act regarding stimulus funding for long-term care has them concerned.”

Providers Looking to Electronic Health Records to Improve Patient Care
According to the IVANS survey, nearly 70% of home healthcare and nursing home organizations say that electronic health records (EHRs) will have a positive impact on their businesses, and 56% of respondents have begun or plan to implement EHRs within the next year. Other key technology priorities for long-term care facilities include implementation of wireless networks, solutions to provide electronic documentation at point of care and business continuity planning, the survey shows.

When it comes to sharing data outside the organizations, survey respondents were not as positive. More than 70% of respondents said they have no plans to participate in a Health Information Exchange (HIE). Experience with failed efforts in the past, lack of an immediate driver to move forward, and no standards were all noted as barriers to implementation of HIEs.

The survey, conducted by IVANS among 500 healthcare providers in May 2009, drew responses from more than 300 home healthcare and nursing home organizations, whose specific survey responses are reflected in this release. In addition, IVANS conducted in-depth interviews with selected long-term care organizations. This survey is one part of a series of initiatives to address the technology issues surrounding healthcare reform and how providers are responding. For a summary of the survey results across all healthcare provider segments, please contact Cecile Locurto of IVANS, Inc.

About IVANS
IVANS Inc. provides the property/casualty insurance and healthcare industries with fully managed network, electronic data interchange (EDI) and agency-company interface solutions to help solve complex business issues. Headquartered in Stamford, Conn. and a CMS approved vendor, IVANS serves over 600 insurance and healthcare organizations, more than 30,000 independent agents and 135,000 healthcare providers. With over 25 years of experience successfully managing networks, the company also offers its clients relentless customer service, security solutions, reliable and accessible technical helpdesk support and expert enablement. IVANS, which was formed by 21 insurance companies, also has offices in Tampa, Fla. and Cincinnati, Ohio. For information, visit www.ivans.com.

Contact:

Cecile M. Locurto
IVANS, Inc.
100 First Stamford Place
Stamford, CT 06902
203-698-7218
Cecile.Locurto@ivans.com