Nextech Announces Seamless Integration With IRIS(TM) Registry Link to Advance Clinical Data Sharing

TAMPA, FL--(Marketwired - May 22, 2014) - Nextech, a leading provider of specialty-focused healthcare technology solutions for physician practices, is pleased to announce it has successfully integrated with the American Academy of Ophthalmology's (AAO) IRIS™ (Intelligent Research in Sight) Registry, the nation's first comprehensive eye disease clinical registry. Nextech's integration with the AAO IRIS Registry will allow Nextech's ophthalmology clients to compare clinically relevant data, analyze benchmarks, and report data to CMS's Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) to standardize and improve the delivery of eye care nationwide.

Through this integration, Nextech will work with the AAO to set up credentials and map the IRIS registry into participating clients' systems at no charge; this process takes approximately 4-6 weeks and will allow ophthalmologists to view comparative metrics and analyze relevant benchmarks in order to promote practice innovations and achieve clinical excellence. In addition, the IRIS Registry will make it easier for physicians to report data to PQRS, which is imperative to receive the 0.5 percent PQRS bonus payment in 2014, while also avoiding the two percent penalty that will take effect beginning with 2016 Medicare payments.

"We are excited to work with the American Academy of Ophthalmology as we share the goal of improving the delivery of eye care," says Christina Majeed, chief product officer at Nextech. "This integration is just another way that Nextech maintains its commitment to provide interoperable, robust solutions and advisory support to help our clients improve efficiency and enhance quality."

Participation in the IRIS Registry is currently available to AAO members. Participating practices should keep the following deadlines in mind:

• June 1, 2014: Practices must submit signed agreements to participate in the IRIS Registry
• August 1, 2014: Participating practices must have their EHR system successfully mapped to the IRIS Registry.
• September 1, 2014: Participating practices must submit a written consent to send registry information to CMS for the 2014 PQRS program. 

For more information about participating in the AAO IRIS Registry, visit http://www.aao.org/iris-registry/.

About Nextech
Nextech offers fully integrated, specialty specific, certified EMR, practice management, and marketing software that covers a wide array of specialty practice needs. Since its inception in 1997, Nextech has built a client base of more than 7,000 providers and 40,000 office staff members. For further information, please visit: www.Nextech.com.