History
American Data was founded in 1984 by a Wisconsin Nursing Home Administrator. In order to have a system of communication and accountability, American Data's focus was on clinical documentation using computers at nursing stations and department offices. Our company was a pioneer in the world of computer servers, networking and relational databases.
In 1985 American Data released the first “electronic chart” for nursing homes called “The Documentor.” “The Documentor” computerized every in-house document for nursing home's clinical records, including daily nurse's notes. QI functions and prototypes of MDS questions were available in the system long before they were regulated under OBRA. They were incorporated so no one had to do extra work and all the staff knew the conditions and plan of care for every resident dynamically. Our founders believed then, as they do now, that the documents which truly impact the lives of residents are actually those that are used by the caretakers.
In 1993, American Data completely rewrote the software and incorporated a Graphical User Interface (mouse-driven interface). The system was renamed “ECS - Electronic Chart System.”
By 1996 the market was switching from DOS to Windows and we refused to compromise quality and performance with porting options. Once again, the system was completely rewritten using 32-bit technology for windows 9x/2000/NT /XP/VISTA/CE and for any devices which utilize these operating systems.
With our focus on daily documentation for so many years, we are well positioned for the challenges of the new millennium, with emphasis on documentation. With a focus on those documents that really make a difference in the lives of nursing home residents, American Data linked daily progress and nursing notes to the MDS/RAPS and other documents, to make completing these regulated forms quick (efficient) and accurate (compliant).
In response to that need, in 1998 American Data decided to write an Accounts Receivable and Billing System, to integrate with our renowned clinical system. We did so very cautiously, as our financial system had to be as dynamic and comprehensive as our clinical system. Thus, in 1999 American Data released a financial system that would redefine the meaning of the word “integration.” The financial system was not built alongside a clinical system but rather was embedded in it. The entire clinical system would become the “charge master file” for the billing system. This means that clinical documentation from anywhere in the clinical record provides the data necessary to produce bills for invoicing the appropriate payer. Thus, ECS - Electronic Chart System with Accounts Receivable and Billing represents the long awaited and only “clinically based financial system” for long term care on the market.
A couple of years ago a client of American Data remarked after reading that a competitor was releasing nurse charting capabilities, that “they're catching up to you.” We responded by saying that by the time they catch up, we'll have added yet more capabilities that will still leave them two years behind. A leader is always in the lead. Indeed, American Data was the first with electronic Nurses Notes (1984), CNA Charting (1984), automatic population of the MDS (1995), automatic calculation of the Best Reference Date (1998), clinically based Financial System (1999), wireless point-of-care documentation (2002), electronic MARs/TARs (2002), Alerts and Reminders (2004), assessments and charting added for Assisted Living Communities (2005) and embedded full Pharmacy Formulary (2008) to mention just a few “firsts.”
