In this issue:

• New WoundExpert® Burn & Scar Modules Available
• WoundExpert Third Quarter Update Release Includes New Ostomy Module
• 2009 WoundExpert Client Conference: Supporting Reimbursement With Complete Documentation Video Available
• Net Health News

In October, WoundExpert has added significant new functionality with the addition of three new modules: Burn, Scar and Ostomy.

The new Burn Module is bundled with our new Scar Module, providing those WoundExpert facilities that prefer with the documentation related to any Burn and Scar services.

WoundExpert Burn and Scar Modules support a multi-disciplinary team approach to optimize the quality of burn patient care, ensuring initial assessment accuracy of the burn size and depth, and enabling documenting ofvarious treatment modalities, while providing ongoing monitoring throughout the healing and rehabilitation process. These offerings support the comprehensive clinical documentation and reporting capabilities particular to the needs of specialized burn centers across the U.S.

The two sections within the Burn Module, Active and Inactive Burns, function similarly to those for Wound and Wound Assessment charting, but with content specific to burn documenting and assessing.

Burn Details provides fields and customizable dropdown choices (where applicable) for Burn Number (auto-incremented like Wound number), Type, Entry (how the Burn was acquired), Burn Agent/Cause, Date Acquired, Status and Date of Resolution. Finally, an unlimited number of Grafts and Flaps can be added in the Burn details form, as well as an unlimited number of Application Dates within each Application.

The Burn Assessment screen is very similar to the Wound Assessment and can be set to be pre-populated by the information entered in the Burn Details. If your facility settings are set to inherit data, much of the Burn Assessment information will pull forward from visit to visit, which can be activated by contacting Client Services. Burn documentation fields include Peri-Burn Skin Assessment and Burn Complications. Graft and Flap Assessments have been added, along with the ability to upload an unlimited number of photos.

Burn Treatment Notescan be modified to suit facility preferences for different Burns treatment modalities and will appear in the Treatment Notes Summary once created. This offering seamlessly integrates with WoundExpert’s comprehensive clinical and physician documentation from initial assessment, plan of care and treatment, including short- and long-term goals, encompassing the broader needs of the burn patient which are inclusive of rehabilitation, reconstruction, and reintegration into the community.

Furthermore, since scar formation is the normal process of wound healing in deep partial-thickness burns, WoundExpert's new Scar Module provides the ability to assess and identify scar complications, improving the accuracy of subjective scar assessment and management.

Scar Assessment items include Pliability, Height, Vascularity and Pigmentation. Scar Assessment is customizable by facility, as are Scar Treatment Notes.

While the new Burn and Scar Modules are only available for an additional monthly charge, given that many Wound Clinics are co-located with Burn Centers, we believe the new Burn and Scar Modules represent significant value to our current clients, and can be added cost-effectively to your existing contract.

For sales inquiries, please email Sales or call 800.411.6281, Option 3 for additional information.

For further questions, please email Sheila Cougras, RN, BSN, CWCN, Director of Quality and be sure to include your name and facility in your response. Thank you.

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Building upon our established track record of quarterly updates, the 3rd Quarter 2009 release of new development, enhancement, and change requests was made available last month. The client response to our new quarterly release process has been enthusiastically positive across the board. We are grateful to our clients for providing feedback and taking an active role in the development and augmentation process of our software.

New features in the release include an Ostomy Module supporting stoma details, assessment, treatment note and multi-stoma charting. This option is available to facilities that wish to apply documentation related to Ostomy services they provide along with Wound Care. While this feature is not enabled by default, it can be activated by Client Services at no additional charge.

There are four new forms included in the Ostomy Module:

Stoma Details provides fields and customizable dropdown choices (where applicable) for Stoma Number (auto-incremented like wound number), Location, Type, Construction (with conditional dropdowns based upon the particular Stoma - Ileostomy, Colostomy, Urostomy, and Continent Diversion), Surgery Date, Status, and a separate Notes section.

Stoma Assessment pulls data from the Stoma Details form - Stoma Number, Location, Type, Construction, Surgery Date and Status, and allows the user to assess and document in much the same manner as wound assessments are documented. It provides assessment fields and customizable dropdown choices (where applicable) for Stoma Shape, Size, Appearance, Peristomal Skin Condition, Abdominal Contours, Stoma Function status, as well as the presence of Flatus, Stool, and Urine. Additional textboxes are provided for Notes and Photos can be uploaded employing the same procedure format as that used for wound assessments.

Stoma Treatment Notes can be added to suit facility preferences and use the same Treatment Notes setup as those associated with Wound treatment notes. Like Wound Assessments, users have the same opportunities to apply Treatment Notes to stoma assessments, and these notes will appear in the Treatment Notes Summary once submitted.

Multi-Stoma Charts display submitted Stoma Assessments in the same format as the Multi-Wound Chart and selectively pulls data from the Stoma Details and Assessment forms noted previously.

In addition, several new enhancements and user requested modifications have been added to the data entry audit trail and ancillary services reports, HBOT treatment drill down analysis, physician orders, vital signs addition of height, weight and automated BMI calculation, and Wound Analysis report restructuring. A more detailed description and explanation of these update features is available on the WoundExpert Help page, under “Release and Education Materials".

For further questions, please email Feedback and be sure to include your name and facility in your response. Thank you.

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On October 16, 2009, Net Health was honored with our second Tech 50 Life Sciences Category Winner recognition by the Pittsburgh Technology Council. The Tech 50 competition recognizes southwestern Pennsylvania’s 50 most innovative public and private companies and acknowledges thought-leadership, creativity and service excellence.  Key company attributes include sustained revenue growth, product or service leadership, corporate citizenship, job creation, employee retention and innovation. For more information, see the 2009 Tech 50 press release.