September 11, 2006
For Immediate Release

3M Health Information Systems Today Introduced A New Version Of Its Market-Leading 3M Codefinder Software

London, ON – 3M Health Information Systems today introduced a new version of its market-leading 3M Codefinder Software designed specifically for the Quebec market. The new software delivers enhanced technology and easy-to-use features that streamline the coding process while promoting accurate, consistent, and complete coding.

Earlier this year the Sante et Services sociaux Quebec transitioned from CIM-9/CCA to CIM-10-CA/CCI. 3M was committed to helping in the transition by leveraging their knowledge and experience with CIM-10-CA/CCI to develop a product that specifically addressed the needs of the Quebec market. “This software release underscores our commitment to this market and to providing customers with the most advanced coding solution on the market,” said Laurie Sproule, Business Manager, 3M Health Care Services and Software.

Health Information Management Professionals in Quebec hospitals will be able to use the software’s advanced expert logic to code individual patient records from the simplest case to the complex. For basic code selection, coders have the option of directly entering the code, entering a keyword or acronym, or searching the integrated codebook, which provides access to the CIM-10-CA/CCI coding index and tabular reference from any point in the coding session. For more complex cases, coders can take advantage of the expert logic and menu-driven coding paths which help guide the coder to the correct code.

Additional advanced features include:

• Partial Code Search – Coders may enter as few as two digits of a specific code for the system to provide a list of all codes that begin with those two digits.
• Enhanced Direct Code Entry – From the keyword prompt, 3M’s Auto Detect feature automatically switches to Direct Code Entry whenever a coder enters a code, rather than a keyword.
• Fast-forward Coding – Coders have the option to look ahead to the next set of coding choices to determine where a particular choice will lead in the coding path.
• History View – A single click shows coders all the choices made in a coding path, offering the option to go back to make a different choice.

The software uses the same coding information coders would use for manual coding, but can help ensure that terminology, rules, and codes are applied consistently and that nothing is overlooked.

Contact 3M Canada PR department.

3M is a trademark of 3M Company. Used under license in Canada.