3M Health Information Systems Division announced today that the U.S. Air Force Medical Operations Agency (AFMOA) has selected 3M to provide a comprehensive package of consulting, auditing, and training services to assess and monitor the quality of ambulatory coding at Air Force medical treatment facilities worldwide. 3M's Coding Quality Oversight program will support Air Force Medical Service (AFMS) goals to improve population health assessment, disease management, billing accuracy and compliance by helping to ensure that coded clinical data accurately and consistently reflects patient health status and treatment.
Under the agreement, 3M Health Information Systems will use data analysis software combined with consulting services to audit AFMS ambulatory coding processes, track data trends against comparative norms, and advise the AFMS on issues that may be affecting compliance and reimbursement. The 3M Coding Quality Oversight program also includes education and training services to enhance and standardize ambulatory data quality across all AFMS facilities. The AFMS processes over seven million coded ambulatory encounters annually.
“The hallmark of our collaboration has always been innovative software and services grounded in health care industry best practices. We are committed to supporting DoD efforts to enhance the delivery of patient care to military personnel and their families, both today and in the future.”
"We are very pleased to have been selected by the Air Force to help improve the quality of the data that drives both clinical and business decision-making at Air Force medical treatment facilities," says Nancy Larson, general manager of 3M Health Information Systems. "While software technology plays an important role in achieving accurate and consistent coded data, ultimately an ongoing program of targeted auditing is vital to ensuring the success of a data quality review program. 3M's applied expert knowledge differentiates our coding software and helps close the quality loop."
"The AFMOA contract award is a significant milestone in 3M's 15-year partnership with the DoD Military Health System," Larson notes. "The hallmark of our collaboration has always been innovative software and services grounded in health care industry best practices. We are committed to supporting DoD efforts to enhance the delivery of patient care to military personnel and their families, both today and in the future."
Today's contract award follows an announcement by 3M Health Information Systems that the Department of Defense (DoD) Military Health System (MHS) has selected 3M to provide a fully integrated system of software products and consulting services for medical records, coding, compliance, and data analysis as part of the Resource Integration Technology Program Office (RITPO), TRICARE Patient Accounting System (TPAS). 3M software components also form the foundation of the Composite Health Care System II (CHCS II), the global computer-based patient record (CPR) system presently being developed within the DoD Military Health System.
The U.S. Air Force Medical Service delivers medical services, during both peacetime and wartime, to more than 1.3 million enrolled beneficiaries, including active duty airmen, retirees, and their family members. The AFMS manages over 70 medical treatment facilities, ranging in size and complexity from teaching medical centers to small clinics, located in the United States, Europe, and the Pacific Rim.
About 3M Health Information Systems
3M Health Information Systems, based in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a leading provider of advanced software tools and services that help health care organizations capture, classify, and manage accurate health care data. Built on a foundation of more than 20 years of clinical, financial and administrative expertise, 3M HIS products help ensure the quality of data, which drives an organization's ability to manage revenue, comply with regulations, improve quality of patient care and manage resources effectively. 3M Health Information Systems also supports customers with world-class technical service, coding expertise, and on-site and Web-based training. More information about 3M Health Information Systems is available on the Internet at www.3Mhis.com, and by calling 800-367-2447.
About 3M - A Global, Diversified Technology Company
Every day, 3M people find new ways to make amazing things happen. Wherever they are, whatever they do, the company's customers know they can rely on 3M to help make their lives better. 3M's brands include icons such as Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate, Scotch-Brite, Filtrete, Dyneon and O-Cel-O. Serving customers in more than 200 countries around the world, the company's 70,000 people use their expertise, technologies and global strength to lead in major markets including consumer and office; display and graphics; electronics and telecommunications; safety, security and protection services; health care; industrial and transportation. For more information, including the latest product and technology news, visit www.3M.com.
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Price Houns AssociatesMedia Contacts:Mollie Houns, 952-920-6951mhouns@pricehouns.comor3M Public RelationsJohn R. Cornwell, 651-733-7698
