Precyse Offers Solutions to Combat Hospital and Physician Reimbursement Cuts

Hospitals facing onslaught of challenges including recent 2 percent Medicare sequestration
Wayne, PA and Alpharetta, GA May 14, 2013 — As hospitals and healthcare providers begin to face a vast array of reimbursement challenges in 2013, including the 2 percent Medicare reimbursement cuts that went into effect on April 1, 2013, they are looking to Precyse, a leader in Health Information Management (HIM) technology and services, for help. With its expert staffs and customized technology solutions, Precyse is well positioned to help many facilities minimize some of the challenges they are facing.
Most recently, budget sequestration has triggered about $1 trillion in across-the-board cuts to the federal budget, including this 2 percent reduction to Medicare reimbursement rates. The cut applies to payments made for services provided by physicians and hospitals, as well as monthly payments to Medicare private insurers and Part D prescription drug plans.
“Precyse is uniquely positioned to help healthcare facilities quickly affect their unbilled accounts receivable (A/R) and accelerate cash flows while reducing their HIM cost footprint,” explained Precyse President Chris Powell. “Our high quality standards and proven ability to augment and enhance HIM departments by delivering measurable results at reduced costs can empower healthcare providers to take on this latest challenge.”
Precyse’s HIM Strategic Sourcing™, an innovative solution combining technology and services, can help hospital or physician practice HIM departments optimize their effectiveness and advance their capabilities and functions to successfully operate under a more challenging reimbursement environment. Most recently, in just 4 months, Precyse was able to help Naples Community Healthcare System (NCHS), a 672-bed system located in Naples, FL, decrease its inpatient weekly DNFB (Discharged Not Final Billed—unbilled AR) from more than $16 million to $5 million, and its outpatient DNFB from more than $14 million to under $2 million. Also, outpatient accounts receivable days went from 7 days to 2, and average inpatient accounts receivable days went from 10 days to under 2.
In addition to Precyse’s HIM Strategic Sourcing™, Precyse’s clinical documentation improvement (CDI) solutions are demonstrating quick financial returns on investment in only a matter of months. “By implementing a full phase CDI program, our clients are experiencing cash returns of more than $800,000 in only 8 months,” said Mark Hendricks, MBA, RHIA, commercial general manager and vice president for precyseCode™, precyseCDI™ and CDI services. These clients range from a 242-bed facility in New Jersey saving more than $450,000 in 4 months to a Mid-Atlantic health system with 477 beds saving more than $800,000 in less than 8 months.
“It is estimated that facilities can realize $5,000 of incremental annual revenue per staffed bed using our CDI program,” continued Hendricks. “Our clients are improving workflow and productivity while optimizing DRG coding accuracy, cash flow and revenues. In addition, our CDI clients are using their CDI programs to assess quality standards, patient safety goals and compliance. We are also seeing our clients enhancing their ability to identify and resolve problems and to differentiate payment based on performance.”
Precyse’s HIM Strategic Sourcing and CDI services are comprehensive and far reaching, providing HIM departments with the leadership and collaborative spirit needed to drive the change that is necessary to improve results. With Precyse as a partner, healthcare facilities can achieve operational excellence and superior financial performance, positioning them for future success, even in this very challenging reimbursement environment.

OsoBio Appoints David M. Lee Vice President of Quality

Albuquerque, NM May 1, 2013 – OsoBio has named David M. Lee vice president of quality.
Lee is responsible for overseeing all quality-related functions to ensure the company’s continued compliance with Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), including quality systems, quality control and manufacturing quality assurance.
Lee brings to his role more than 20 years of professional experience managing quality operations and API and sterile manufacturing.
Prior to joining OsoBio in June 2012, Lee served as director of validation and quality at Amgen Inc., where, among other responsibilities, he managed all validation activities for a $1.2-billion site expansion. During his time at Amgen, he also managed production operations for two of the company’s signature chemotherapy drugs, NEUPOGEN® and Neulasta.®
“David’s knowledge and expertise in quality operations will support OsoBio’s ongoing ability to deliver exceptional sterile pharmaceutical manufacturing products and service,” said Milton Boyer, president of OsoBio. “David has already proven to be a great asset to the OsoBio team and the clients we serve.”
Lee holds a master’s degree in biology from California State University, Northridge, and a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of California, Riverside. He is a member of the Parenteral Drug Association.

ACM Receives URAC Accreditation for Health Utilization Management

Indianapolis, IN Apr 30, 2013 – IMG’s medical management company receives full accreditation
(INDIANAPOLIS) – Akeso Care Management®, Inc. (ACM®), announced today that it has been awarded Health Utilization Management Accreditation by URAC, a Washington, DC-based health care accrediting organization that establishes quality standards for the health care industry. This accreditation assures the adequacy and quality of ACM’s health utilization management program through evaluation against broadly recognized standards and measures. ACM provides medical management services to domestic and international insurance carriers, self-insured employers and third party administrators. These services include utilization review, large case management, emergency medical evacuations, discharge planning and medical bill review, all designed to provide appropriate, cost-effective patient care.
“We are extremely proud and honored to achieve full accreditation from URAC,” said Carolyn Tinsley, executive vice president and chief operating officer of ACM. “ACM continues to enhance its services and solutions for our customers. We are committed to on-going quality, and see URAC accreditation as a vital step in continuing to be there with our customers, providing superior service and a collaborative approach to their care.”
“We applaud Akeso Care Management on achieving URAC Utilization Management Accreditation,” said Alan P. Spielman, URAC president and CEO. “In today’s health care market, URAC accreditation provides a mark of distinction for organizations to demonstrate their commitment to quality health care.”
URAC’s Health Utilization Management Standards establish consistency in UM processes. The standards ensure that appropriately trained clinical personnel conduct and oversee the utilization review process, that a reasonable and timely appeals process is in place, and that medical decisions are based on valid clinical criteria.

Oasis Outsourcing Welcomes Kerim Fidel As Senior Vice President And General Counsel

West Palm Beach, FL Apr 29, 2013 – Oasis Outsourcing, one of the nation’s leading Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs), is pleased to announce that Kerim Fidel has joined as Senior Vice President and General Counsel.
Prior to joining Oasis, Fidel served as General Counsel for Strategic Outsourcing, Inc., a PEO headquartered in Charlotte, NC.
He has extensive industry experience, not only in legal matters but also in human resources, regulatory compliance, governance, insurance, benefits, acquisitions and risk management. At Oasis, Fidel will assume responsibility for legal and compliance matters.
“Kerim is a respected expert in the PEO industry, and we are pleased to have him at Oasis,” said Mark Perlberg, President and CEO of Oasis Outsourcing. “We look forward to capitalizing on his insight and expertise as we continue to build our executive team.”
He received his undergraduate degree, with honors, from Shimer College, his Master of Arts from DePaul University and his juris doctor from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign.

Sparta Systems Hosts 10th Annual North American User Conference, Trackwise Connection 2013

New Quality Management Analytics and Mobile Solutions to be Showcased During Three-day Event
Hamilton, NJ Apr 22, 2013 – Sparta Systems, Inc., a market leader in enterprise quality management solutions, today announced the commencement of its tenth annual North American user conference, TrackWise Connection 2013, being held ​​​April 22-25, 2013, at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel​in Orlando, Florida. Workshop speakers include quality, IT and business professionals from Fortune 500 companies including the world’s largest life science organizations.
Quality is expanding beyond traditional boundaries to be redefined and prioritized as a strategic discipline as manufacturing operations become increasingly more global and complex. Once seen as a siloed cost center meant to satisfy external requirements, quality systems are now an integrated and centralized solution that help organizations operate more efficiently and effectively, manage supplier risk, improve financial results and maintain brand value and customer loyalty.
The agenda for TrackWise Connection 2013 includes advanced technology sessions, business workshops and demos that will connect Sparta Systems, its partners and customers. They will share best practices on how using Sparta’s TrackWise Enterprise Quality Management Solution (EQMS) will help to improve product quality, customer satisfaction and profitability while balancing increased costs and regulatory pressures. Conference attendees will also get a detailed view of Sparta Systems’ new TrackWise Analytics as well as previews of TrackWise Mobile and supplier management solutions.
“As the world of quality management continues to evolve and regulatory requirements become more complex, organizations are forced to do more with less to improve product quality, customer satisfaction and profitability. TrackWise users must be armed with the latest tools and strategies to ensure the quality and safety of the products and services they deliver to market,” said Eileen Martinson, Chief Executive Officer, Sparta Systems. “TrackWise Connection serves as an interactive, educational forum for users to share their challenges and success stories, and learn how we are enhancing the TrackWise experience, to improve visibility, support departmental alignment and empower end-users to make informed business decisions.”

Oasis Outsourcing Welcomes Myron Blackmon as Executive Vice President of Operations

West Palm Beach, FL Apr 18, 2013 – Oasis Outsourcing, one of the nation’s leading Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs), is pleased to announce that Myron Blackmon has joined as Executive Vice President of Operations.
Prior to joining Oasis, Blackmon served as Senior Vice President, Customer Service and Delivery for Ceridian US HRS, a human resources company based in Minneapolis, MN. At Oasis, he will be responsible for all aspects of operations and customer service.
“Myron’s experience and proven track record in delivering service excellence will be a huge asset to our executive team and our clients as we continue to execute our strategic growth plan,” said Mark Perlberg, President and CEO of Oasis Outsourcing. “His capabilities will strongly support the Oasis mission to be innovative, service-oriented and a contributor to our clients’ success.”
Blackmon is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS). He received his undergraduate degree from Georgia State University.

Sparta Systems Opens European User Conference, TrackWise Connection 2013

New Quality Management Analytics and Mobile Solutions to be Showcased During Three-day Event
Hamilton, NJ Apr 8, 2013 – Sparta Systems, Inc., a market leader in enterprise quality management solutions, today announced the commencement of its fifth annual European user conference, TrackWise Connection 2013, being held ​​​April 8-11, 2013, at Le Meridien in Vienna, Austria.
Quality management is becoming a means for organizations to operate more efficiently and effectively, manage supplier risk, improve financial results and maintain brand value and customer loyalty. This year’s conference agenda includes advanced technology sessions, business workshops and demos that will connect Sparta Systems’ partners and employees with a growing international group of industry professionals to share best practices on using Sparta’s TrackWise Enterprise Quality Management Solution (EQMS).
“As the world of quality management continues to evolve and regulatory requirements become more complex, TrackWise users must be armed with the latest tools and strategies to ensure the quality and safety of the products and services they deliver to market,” said Eileen Martinson, Chief Executive Officer, Sparta Systems. “TrackWise Connection serves as an interactive, educational forum for users to share their challenges and success stories, and learn how we are enhancing the TrackWise experience, to help best mitigate risk and address critical quality and compliance issues.”
Themes to be explored and addressed at TrackWise Connection 2013 include:
Managing Quality Across A Third Party Network
Technology Trends Influencing Enterprise Systems
Designing and Implementing an Effective Global TrackWise Integration Strategy
Increase Efficiency, Speed, and Compliance by Mobilizing A Quality Workforce
Shifting Quality From Cost Center to Value-Driving Asset

Sparta Systems and Spain Based TDV Announce Partnership to Provide In Country TrackWise Support

Collaboration set to provide implementation and validation services to the Spanish market
Hamilton, NJ Mar 22, 2013 – Sparta Systems, Inc., a market leader in enterprise quality management software (EQMS) solutions, today announced a partnership with TDV, a Spanish technological consulting company providing services to the Pharmaceutical and API Industry, to provide local implementation and validation services.
“The strategic partnership with TDV will allow Sparta to better support clients in Spain using TrackWise EQMS by providing on the ground, locally based, Spanish speaking resources to further the direct reach of TrackWise’s quality management support and services to the Spanish market ,” said Roy Wood, Vice President of Global Professional Services at Sparta Systems. “Life sciences companies are faced with the unique challenge of adhering to strict regulatory guidelines and requirements, while needing business partners that have a deep level of understanding and experience in their industry.”
Sparta Systems and TDV both have a proven track record of successfully supporting companies within the life sciences industry. The collaboration enables TDV to benefit from Sparta’s market leadership to extend its implementation services and provide customers with a reliable, robust EQMS. TDV currently provides validation, compliance and quality services to companies in Spain and the partnership will enable Sparta to expand its customer base and develop new and existing business relationships in the country.
“We are committed to providing customers with the best and most advanced services, and our partnership with Sparta Systems further supports our efforts,” said Octavi Colomina, Managing Director at TDV. “TrackWise serves as the de-facto solution for quality management support throughout the life sciences industry. The collaboration with Sparta will enable us to improve the line of services we provide our customers, specifically in relation to the development of pharmaceutical quality systems aligned within the guidelines set forth in ICH Q10.”

Sparta Systems’ CEO, Eileen Martinson, Recognized by NJBIZ as A New Jersey Best 50 Women in Business

Hamilton, NJ Mar 12, 2013 – Sparta Systems, Inc., a market leader in enterprise quality management solutions, announced today that Sparta CEO, Eileen Martinson, has been named one of New Jersey’s 2013 Best 50 Women in Business by NJBIZ, a premier New Jersey business news publication.
The Best 50 Women in Business honors New Jersey’s most dynamic women in businessthat have been making headlines in their field. The award program is sponsored by Wells Fargo, WithumSmith+Brown, PC, Comcast Business Class, and Wolff & Samson PC.
An independent panel of judges selected the top 50 winners based on their dedication to business growth, professional and personal accomplishments, community involvement, and advocacy for women.
“We are truly fortunate to have the opportunity to recognize this outstanding group of women,” said Thomas Curtin, publisher of NJBIZ. “As business and community leaders, they are constantly redefining success within and outside the business arena. On behalf of NJBIZ, we would like to thank and congratulate Eileen and other award winners for their dedication to New Jersey’s future.”
Ms. Martinson, along with other winners, will be honored during an awards ceremony on Thursday, March 21, 2013 at The Palace at Somerset Park in Somerset, NJ.

Precyse and HealthStream Showcase Comprehensive ICD-10 Education Program at HIMSS 2013

Nearly 3,000 healthcare organizations nationwide are using Precyse University to prepare for ICD-10
Wayne, PA and Alpharetta, GA Mar 4, 2013 — Precyse, a leader in health information management (HIM) technologies and services, will showcase its comprehensive ICD-10 Education Solution at the HIMSS 2013 Annual Conference & Exhibition March 3-7 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans (Booth #4369). Visitors to the Precyse booth will have the opportunity to get more information about Precyse University, the most innovative and complete on-site, online and mobile healthcare education solution that is designed to prepare coders, physicians, nurses, case managers, administrative staff and all other impacted populations for the transition to ICD-10. The Precyse University ICD-10 Solution is made available through Precyse’s partner, HealthStream (NASDAQ: HSTM), via its market-leading platform and, specifically, through its HealthStream Learning Center™ application.
Representatives from Precyse and HealthStream will provide solution demonstrations of Precyse University and its innovative applications, arcade and simulators during HIMSS.“Healthcare organizations nationwide are discovering the benefits of Precyse University, and the
number of facilities that use Precyse University for ICD-10 has grown from 1,000 to nearly 3,000, educating more than 750,000 learners in the past year,” said Thomas Ormondroyd, Vice President and General Manager of Precyse Learning Solutions. Precyse was also recognized in
the recent KLAS report, “ICD-10 Consulting: Roadmap to a Successful Transition,” as the “only firm in this report to receive 100% positive comments from their clients about their ICD-10 services.”
As a sponsor of the HIMSS ICD-10 Knowledge Center, Precyse will give a presentation titled “Unlocking Enterprise-wide ICD-10 Success,” which will provide more guidance on ICD-10 training and education. This will be held Tuesday, March 5, 2013, at 11:15 a.m. in Booth #4351. “Precyse has helped us identify the different levels and types of education needed for our entire staff, including our clinicians and doctors, helping us to understand the full breath of impact and to plan accordingly,” said Sonia Trepnia, ICD-10 Program Manager, Duke University Health System. “Our staff needed ICD-10 education that was easily accessible.”
Other Precyse Highlights at HIMSS 2013
• Sponsorships – Precyse is once again a Gold Sponsor of HIMSS and will also sponsor the HIMSS ICD-10 Symposium and the HIMSS ICD-10 Knowledge Center.
• PrecyseCode™ and precyseCDI™ – Precyse will showcase precyseCode and precyseCDI, the only single, integrated platform enabling both inpatient and outpatient coding and CDI.
• New HIM Innovation Community White Paper – Precyse will provide copies of “Health Information Management in 2016: Guiding Principles and a Governance Framework for a Digital Age,” the newest white paper released by the thought-leadership group made up of representatives from more than 30 top healthcare institutions.