AOD Software, the leading integrated software solution for long-term care providers, will embed the nationally recognized INTERACT™ Quality Improvement program into its Answers™ electronic health record (EHR) solution through a license with Florida Atlantic University (FAU). AOD made the announcement today at the Leading Age Annual Conference and Expo in Dallas.

Created by Joseph Ouslander, MD, professor and senior associate dean for geriatric programs and interim chair for the department of integrated medical sciences in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at FAU, INTERACT was designed to improve the early identification, assessment, documentation and communication of changes in the status of residents in long term care facilities. With development supported at various stages by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Commonwealth Fund, INTERACT was implemented in 30 community-based nursing homes in Florida, Massachusetts and New York during a six-month period and documented a 17 percent reduction in hospital admissions among the residents.

“Providing superior service and unsurpassed quality is a top priority for organizations that use Answers,” says Doc DeVore, director of clinical informatics and industry relations for AOD. “We are pleased to offer the proven functionality of INTERACT to help underscore our shared commitment to advancing the health and wellbeing of residents living in long term care facilities.”

“Concerns surrounding efforts to reduce readmission to hospitals continue to escalate,” notes Charles George, chief technology officer and vice president of research and development for AOD. “In many cases, residents could be more effectively and comfortably cared for in their long term care facility—but only with the early identification of, and response to, changes in status that might lead to hospitalization. With INTERACT embedded within the clinical workflows of Answers EHR, care providers will have access to this early detection program to identify these situations.”

DeVore adds that the combined functionality of Answers EHR and INTERACT could result in improved care for residents, fewer complications due to unnecessary hospitalization and significant savings in healthcare spending.