Avatar clinical software solution implemented for Monterey County Health Department Behavioral Health Division

Netsmart Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of enterprise-wide software and services for health and human services organizations, recently completed implementation of its Avatar clinical software solution for the Monterey County (Calif.) Health Department Behavioral Health Division. The implementation, done in conjunction with Division staff, makes Monterey one of the leaders among California counties and behavioral healthcare providers in the adoption of Electronic Medical Record (EMR) technology.

The sizable and complex project, which includes more than 300 users, was completed on time and for less than the county's $2.2 million budget for the project.

Monterey County's Avatar EMR system provides licensed clinicians and psychiatrists located throughout the county with the ability to obtain client information efficiently and accurately. In addition, the system reduces the potential for billing errors and ensures accurate submission of MediCal claims to the state. Other significant benefits include the ability to create a single longitudinal health record for clients and eliminate redundant data entry, reducing potential errors resulting from manual re-entry of information.

"The implementation of this certified EMR system supports our goal of improving the quality and efficiency of care provided to the community," said Dr. Wayne Clark, director of the Monterey County Health Department's Behavioral Health Division. "Our information technology team and Netsmart's implementation team worked collaboratively to engage all key constituencies in the process. The result was the smooth introduction of a comprehensive system that reduces risk and enables us to better serve all our consumers."

The new Monterey County EMR system is also compatible with the county's financial system, creating the foundation for the secure, authorized sharing of data both within the division and with other healthcare providers.

In addition to customizing and implementing Avatar software for the county's unique needs, Netsmart worked closely with Monterey County to provide skill development training, data conversion and system use training to county staff members at multiple levels.

"We're pleased to have worked with Monterey County to implement an EMR system configured for the county's unique requirements using our out-of-the-box software," said James L. Conway, chief executive officer, Netsmart Technologies. "With the addition of Monterey County to the Netsmart customer community, we're proud to be the technology partner of choice for 29 California counties."