HARTFORD, Conn. & CHICAGO -- Allscripts (Nasdaq:MDRX), the leading provider of clinical software, connectivity and information solutions that physicians use to improve healthcare, today announced that one of Connecticut's largest Physician Hospital Organizations (PHO) has selected the TouchWorks(TM) Electronic Health Record as part of its vision of improving quality by providing access to information through regional integration.

Under the agreement, the Allscripts electronic health record solution will be deployed to 150 physician members of the Saint Francis Physician Hospital Organization and ultimately will connect more than 600 of the PHO's physicians to each other and to Hartford's premier healthcare system, Saint Francis Care, when completely implemented. From over 300 practice locations across Central Connecticut, the PHO's multi-specialty physicians will use the electronic health record to access real-time test results and other clinical data on their patients at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center's (SFH&MC) two acute-care hospital campuses.

"This initiative will deliver on our goal of making Saint Francis a completely integrated provider network, with real-time electronic connectivity between the inpatient and outpatient settings," said Jess Kupec, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Saint Francis PHO. "With integration driven by Allscripts, we can deliver higher quality care to our patients and demonstrate value to our managed care payors."

Allscripts connectivity will link the outpatient medical records of PHO physicians with SFH&MC's sophisticated hospital-based IT systems, which electronically join the hospital's clinical and financial operations, including radiology, laboratories and billing. TouchWorks will streamline and improve PHO physician practices by automating many common clinical activities, such as prescribing medications, ordering lab tests, documenting patient visits and making referrals electronically. The electronic health record will improve the quality and efficiency of patient care by providing physicians with up-to-date clinical information and the latest decision-making guidelines when and where they need it - in the office, at the bedside, or while on-call at home.

Saint Francis PHO selected Allscripts after a 12-month review of the leading electronic health records involving a committee of more than 20 physicians, IT specialists and practice administrators.

"The physicians on our review committee felt that TouchWorks was the most intuitive, easiest-to-use system on the market," said Bill Witkowsky, Director of Operations at Saint Francis PHO. "We know Allscripts will help our members realize a significant return-on-investment by improving reimbursement and reducing their costs."

The PHO will integrate TouchWorks with SFH&MC's existing computerized physician order entry (CPOE) system, Carecast(TM) from IDX(R) Systems Corporation. Allscripts and IDX, now a part of GE Healthcare, share a strategic relationship that enables seamless integration between the major enterprise applications of physician practices.

"We are excited to partner with Saint Francis PHO as they deliver on their long-term strategy of connecting and integrating its physicians and hospitals to improve the quality of care they provide," said Glen Tullman, Chief Executive Officer of Allscripts. "TouchWorks enables the continuous flow of information between physicians, pharmacies, patients and payors in more than 2,000 clinics nationwide. That kind of connectivity transforms healthcare, driving significant return-on-investment from a patient care, quality and cost perspective."

About Saint Francis Physician Hospital Organization

The Saint Francis Physician Hospital Organization (PHO) was formed in 1993 as a vehicle for Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center (SFH&MC) and the physician members of the SFH&MC Medical Staff to share in the financial risk of managed care risk contracts. Over the PHO's 13-year history, the PHO has expanded its mission to include the improvement of quality and efficiency of healthcare services provided by its members. The PHO has built a system of coordinated care which extends across the continuum of health care services - from the physician offices of our more than 600 members to the hospital and into the home, extended care facilities, and outpatient settings.

The New Allscripts

Allscripts is the leading provider of clinical software, connectivity and information solutions that physicians use to improve healthcare. The Company's business groups provide unique solutions that inform, connect and transform healthcare. The Clinical Solutions Group's award-winning software applications include electronic health record, practice management, e-prescribing, document imaging, emergency department and care management solutions. Additionally, Allscripts provides clinical product education and connectivity solutions for physicians and patients through its Physicians Interactive(TM) Group and medication fulfillment services through its Medication Services Group. To learn more, visit Allscripts on the Web at www.allscripts.com.

This announcement may contain forward-looking statements about Allscripts that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are developed by combining currently available information with Allscripts beliefs and assumptions. Forward-looking statements do not guarantee future performance. Because Allscripts cannot predict all of the risks and uncertainties that may affect it, or control the ones it does predict, Allscripts' actual results may be materially different from the results expressed in its forward-looking statements. For a more complete discussion of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may affect Allscripts, see the Company's 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K, available through the Web site maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov.