Welch Allyn Introduces Connex® Virtual Channel Software for Vital Signs Devices

HIMSS Trade Show and Exhibition, Las Vegas, NV, February 20, 2012

Welch Allyn, a leading manufacturer of frontline medical products and solutions, today announced the availability of Connex® Virtual Channel Software for use with its USB-connected vital signs devices. This new software expands and simplifies the ability to document patient data in medical practices working in thin-client server-hosted electronic health record (EHR) environments. The availability of the Connex® Virtual Channel Software (VCS) makes it possible to direct connect a terminal client PC via a USB cable to the Welch Allyn Spot Vital Signs® LXi, Connex® Integrated Wall System, Connex® Vital Signs Monitor and Connex® ProBP™ 3400, providing immediate and error-free transfer of patient vitals data into the EHR chart.

Welch Allyn Connex® VCS provides significant advantages over traditional COM port serial mapping including the ability to operate over high latency, low bandwidth, high loss networks.  It offers improved device auto-configuration and diagnostics and no COM port mapping is required.  The installer automatically determines if users are running Citrix® or Microsoft® RDP (or both) and installs itself in the appropriate way.  It also automatically installs the Welch Allyn Universal USB driver.  It is 64-bit compatible and supports the latest Windows® operating systems while maintaining 32-bit compatibility. The resulting system enables patient data to transfer quickly and securely from a vital signs device to an EHR application hosting server.

“We are excited about the increased capabilities offered by the availability of our Connex® VCS as more physicians look to implement an EHR system in their practices for greater efficiency and better patient care,” said Howard Higgins, global category manager, Thermometry & Vital Signs, Welch Allyn. “This next-generation software provides expanded thin-client support for some of the most common diagnostic procedures giving health care professionals the advantage of managing patient data even more efficiently and effectively.”

Welch Allyn has seen an increase in EHR deployment in thick- and thin-client environments as physicians look to take advantage of funds available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which provides an estimated $19 billion in incentives over a five-year period to physicians and hospitals seeking to integrate and use certified EHRs for improved patient care. The new Connex® VCS helps answer that need by providing healthcare professionals greater flexibility and more choices for implementation using industry leading EHR programs connected to a new generation Welch Allyn vital signs device.

EHRs that currently support the newest Welch Allyn SDK 2.3 interface for Connex® VCS thin-client communication, include Aprima, eClinicalWorks, Greenway, GE Centricity Advance and Henry Schein MicroMD.  eMD and Sage (now Vitera) are coming soon.

About Welch Allyn
Founded in 1915 and headquartered in Skaneateles Falls, NY (USA), Welch Allyn is a leading global provider of medical diagnostic equipment and a complete range of digital and connected solutions. With 2,750 employees working in 26 different countries, Welch Allyn is a family-owned business that specializes in helping doctors, nurses and other frontline practitioners across the globe provide the best patient care by developing innovative products, breakthrough technologies and cutting-edge solutions that help them see more patients, detect more conditions and improve more lives. More information about Welch Allyn and its complete line of connected products and solutions may be found at www.welchallyn.com.