Cardiologists and Ob-Gyns Join National Drug Alerts Network
ACC and ACOG Help Members with Immediate Access to Online Drug Alerts
July 10, 2008 - San Francisco, CA - The American College or Cardiology (ACC) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) today announced their participation in the Health Care Notification Network (HCNN), an online drug alert network that replaces a widely criticized and decades-old system based upon paper and U.S. mail. The HCNN was launched two months ago and already reaches over 100,000 U.S. physicians as a result of the efforts of U.S. medical society leaders, liability carriers, health plans, consumer advocacy groups, government leaders and industry. ACC and ACOG members together add more than 50,000 physicians to the HCNN effort.
"Getting important drug alerts to physicians is key to improving patient safety and keeping physicians well-informed," explained Ralph W. Hale, MD, executive vice president of ACOG.
Jack Lewin, MD, chief executive officer of the ACC, added, "Rapid delivery of drug safety information is critical in order for us to provide high quality care to our patients based on the latest data. We are confident that cardiologists will enroll and immediately appreciate the benefits of the HCNN. By taking advantage of this network, we can streamline care and save costs."
In addition to major medical societies, the HCNN is also being promoted by most liability carriers because of its ability to reduce delays in notifying physicians and thereby reduce medical liability.
"We are thrilled to have ACOG and the ACC join this important national effort," explained Nancy Dickey, MD, former AMA president and chair of the iHealth Alliance, the not-for-profit board that governs the new HCNN service. "Our goal is to have all physicians subscribe to the HCNN by year’s end. We encourage all U.S. physicians to take 2 minutes and enroll today at www.hcnn.net. Physicians and their patients will realize immediate benefit."
The ACC and ACOG will assist their members in HCNN enrollment including email outreach and pre-registration. The HCNN is free to all licensed U.S. physicians, available immediately at www.hcnn.net., and used solely for patient safety alerts, not for advertising or promotion. It ensures the most rapid and effective delivery of important alerts to physicians, with a copy of the alert sent to their office staff if they like, thereby improving patient safety and office efficiency while reducing liability and paperwork. Physicians not enrolled in the HCNN will continue to receive the Alerts in paper via U.S. mail, typically a few weeks after online delivery via the HCNN.
The HCNN is also a "Green" initiative because it reduces paper and mail, thereby saving trees and fuel.
For more information about the HCNN and online patient safety Alert services, visit www.hcnn.net.
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About the ACC The American College of Cardiology is leading the way to optimal cardiovascular care and disease prevention. The College is a 34,000-member nonprofit medical society and bestows the credential Fellow of the American College of Cardiology upon physicians who meet its stringent qualifications. The College is a leader in the formulation of health policy, standards and guidelines, and is a staunch supporter of cardiovascular research. The ACC provides professional education and operates national registries for the measurement and improvement of quality care.
About ACOG The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is the national medical organization representing over 52,000 members who provide health care for women.
About the HCNN The HCNN is the new online service that delivers important patient safety alerts that are product-related and mandated by the FDA, to physicians and other healthcare professionals via email. Currently, these alerts (also known as "Dear Doctor letters") are sent to physicians on paper via traditional U.S. mail-a slow, error-prone process. The HCNN may also be used to notify physicians in the event of national public health emergencies or bio-terror events. The network is governed by the not-for-profit iHealth alliance with network operations provided by Medem, Inc.
About the iHealth Alliance The iHealth Alliance is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to protect the interests of patients and providers as healthcare increasingly moves online. The iHealth Alliance governs the Health Care Notification Network (HCNN) and ensures that the network is used only for patient safety alerts. The iHealth Alliance is chaired by Nancy W. Dickey, MD, past President of the AMA, President of Health Science Center and Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs for Texas A&M University. The Board of Directors is comprised of industry leaders from medical societies, liability carriers, patient advocacy groups and others dedicated to protecting the interest of patients and providers.
Press Contact HCNN: Jason Willett (415) 644-3926 press@hcnn.net