Cerner, McKesson Lead Alliance To Let Doctors Share Data

Cerner Corp. (CERN) and four rival providers of electronic medical records said they will ease barriers preventing doctors and hospitals from sharing data, a potential breakthrough in the effort to get U.S. physicians to better coordinate patient care.

The five companies are forming a nonprofit group aimed at setting standards for exchanging data across their systems. Cerner, the second-biggest provider of electronic health records, joined McKesson Corp. (MCK), Athenahealth Inc. (ATHN), Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc. (MDRX) and Greenway Medical Technologies (GWAY) Inc. in the effort, according to a statement released today at an industry conference in New Orleans.

The agreement brings together some of the biggest providers of medical software as technology companies and hospitals face criticism for building closed systems that don’t easily share data. The Obama administration, which has set aside almost $30 billion in funding for doctors to buy digital systems, is considering new standards for the industry...