Suburban Hospital Healthcare System Selects McKesson for Healthcare IT Transformation

Initiative focused on enhancing clinical excellence and financial performance
ATLANTA--(Business Wire)--
Recognizing that information technology (IT) can play a key role in enhancing
care quality, safety and efficiency, Suburban Hospital Healthcare System decided
to perform a healthcare IT transformation - and it was looking for a vendor to
provide a comprehensive integrated solution. As a result, the Bethesda, Md.,
hospital selected McKesson to empower the initiative with the Horizon Clinicals®
clinical and revenue management solution suite. Once the project is complete,
Suburban will have a comprehensive electronic health record (EHR), an automated
medication management system, and an integrated revenue management information
system - a combination designed to differentiate Suburban in a highly
competitive local healthcare environment.

"One of the major objectives of Suburban`s strategic plan has been to seek
advanced information systems that would enhance our position as a technology
leader and further support our mission of clinical excellence. As we searched
for a partner, McKesson emerged as a clear leader," said Christopher Timbers,
chief information officer at Suburban. "McKesson impressed us with both its
comprehensive technology offering and commitment to service and support. We felt
they really understood what it requires to successfully implement their systems
and to help us achieve our objectives for quality patient care."

Suburban plans to replace its older technology with the advanced Horizon
Clinicals solutions suite, used by more than 2 million clinicians nationwide.
One element of Suburban Hospital`s new automated medication management process
will be implemented at the patient`s bedside. Using a hand-held device, nurses
will electronically scan a bar code on the patient`s wristband and each
medication`s label, and the information will automatically appear in the
patient`s EHR. This helps to ensure the "five rights" of patient safety - right
patient, right drug, right dose, right time and right route. In addition,
Suburban Hospital physicians will place medication orders electronically using
McKesson`s computerized physician order entry solution and will use a secure Web
portal to obtain immediate, secure access to patient information anytime and
anywhere.

Suburban also will implement McKesson`s new revenue management solution, Horizon
Enterprise Revenue Management. This integrated revenue management system will
automate Suburban`s operational and financial processes to more efficiently
connect it with payors, financial institutions, physicians and consumers. In
addition, tasks that were typically performed after discharge will now be
carried out as early as the beginning of the patient pre-registration process.
For example, information needed to better inform patients of their treatment
options and assist in meeting regulatory requirements will be collected upfront.
In addition to shortening the payment cycle, this proactive gathering of
information should streamline patient interactions with the hospital while
dramatically improving workflow efficiency and productivity.

"We`re honored to have the opportunity to work side-by-side with Suburban on
such a large clinical and financial transformation," said Pamela Pure,
president, McKesson Technology Solutions. "Our team is committed to helping
Suburban reach its full potential by harnessing the power of the most up-to-date
technology to deliver the best care possible to its community - benefiting
clinicians, patients and their families."

About Suburban Hospital Healthcare System

Suburban Hospital has served the greater Washington, DC region since 1943 with
several centers of specialized care, state-of-the-art technology, and
community-based wellness programs. Through strategic partnerships with some of
the country`s most prestigious medical institutions, including the National
Institutes of Health, National Naval Medical Center and Johns Hopkins Medicine,
Suburban Hospital is able to provide a level of emergency, stroke and cardiac
care that is available in very few medical centers. In addition to being a
state-designated Level II Trauma Center, the hospital`s continuum of care is
distinguished by a certified Primary Stroke Center; the NIH Heart Center at
Suburban Hospital; and centers of excellence in orthopedic care, neurosciences,
and oncology.

About McKesson

McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 18th on the FORTUNE 500, is a healthcare
services and information technology company dedicated to helping its customers
deliver high-quality healthcare by reducing costs, streamlining processes, and
improving the quality and safety of patient care. McKesson is the
longest-operating company in healthcare today, marking its 175th anniversary
last year. Over the course of its history, McKesson has grown by providing
pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management across the spectrum of
care; healthcare information technology for hospitals, physicians, homecare and
payors; hospital and retail pharmacy automation; and services for manufacturers
and payors designed to improve outcomes for patients. For more information,
visit http://www.mckesson.com.

McKesson
Yancey Casey, 404-338-2468
yancey.casey@mckesson.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009