On the Move at Misys
Raleigh, N.C.-based Misys Healthcare Systems has signed a strategic alliance agreement with Boston's Keane Inc., to create revenue cycle offerings, enhanced patient care and optimized hospital efficiency, with the Healthcare Solutions Division. The agreement packages products from both companies and aims to create a seamless structure from bedside charting to accounts receivable.
In another move to improve efficiency and patient safety, Misys electronic connectivity business unit, Payerpath is partnering with St. Paul, Minn.-based RxHub LLC in an effort to reduce medical errors and increase quality of care by providing comprehensive medical knowledge. RxHub connects patient specific prescribing information between physicians, pharmacy benefit managers, payers and pharmacies. Through RxHub, physicians gain a comprehensive view of patients' medical histories and benefit information and can electronically send the prescription to the patients' pharmacy of choice.
Cardinal Catches MedMined
Cardinal Health, a Dublin, Ohio-headquartered $75 billion, global company that serves the healthcare industry with a broad portfolio of products and services, has acquired medical analytics firm, MedMined Inc.
As a privately-held Birmingham, Ala.-based medical information technology company, MedMined provides data mining analysis and related technical, clinical, and financial consulting services to the healthcare community. The company's patented infection-tracking technology and proprietary service is used by nearly 200 hospitals nationwide, covering more than 2.5 million hospital admissions yearly.
Emdeon Pays for Interactive Payer Network
In an effort to add another layer to its existing claims capabilities, Emdeon Business Services, a unit of Emdeon Corporation, has acquired Cleveland, Ohio-based Interactive Payer Network, a technology service provider that acts as an outsourcing EDI partner.
Emdeon Business Services provides revenue cycle management and clinical communication solutions that enable payers, providers and patients to improve healthcare business processes. The acquisition will extend the breadth of Emdeon Business Services' offerings for its payer and preferred provider organization clients.
Emergis Emerges and Eats DINMAR
In an effort to broaden its offerings and reach in the healthcare community, Québec-headquartered solutions provider, Emergis Inc., has acquired Ottawa-based DINMAR. The Canadian IT company, Emergis, which focuses on health and financial service sectors, purchased the electronic health record technology service provider and consulting firm at a cost of $32 million Canadian dollars, subject to closing adjustments and contingent consideration.
More than Competent, Lawson Software
St. Paul, Minn.-based Lawson Software has completed the acquisition of performance management solutions provider, Competency Assessment Solutions (CAS) of Princeton, N.J. Lawson provides software and solutions for streamlining processes and enhanced business operational performance, while CAS enables providers to replace paper-based processes for meeting JCAHO standards. The buy will strengthen Lawson's market position in the healthcare sector.
Kronos to Acquire Unicru
Chelmsford, Mass.-based Kronos Inc., a provider of workforce management software and services, has signed an agreement to acquire privately-held Beaverton, Ore.-based talent management solutions company, Unicru Inc., for $150 million in cash. The acquisition is part of Kronos' strategy to become the first $1 billion software company solely focused on providing human capital management solutions to global organizations. Upon completion of the acquisition, Unicru will operate as Kronos' Talent Management Division.
Caught in an Eclipse
Boca Raton, Fla.-based integration software provider, Eclipsys Corporation has closed the deal with Michigan-based laboratory information system (LIS) vendor, Sysware Healthcare Systems Inc.
With the acquisition, Eclipsys will add Sysware LIS as a core clinical module of Eclipsys Sunrise Clinical Manager Enterprise Information Solution. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
In another move, Eclipsys has partnered with Web-based software, knowledge and services provider, athenahealth Inc., of Watertown, Mass.
The deal is based on the idea that the combination will enable physicians to share patient information with the extended healthcare enterprise while maintaining independent financial records. The two companies hope to create a unique ambulatory care solution strategy for improving outcomes.
Blueprints for Service
Over the next three years, Bermuda-based Accenture will invest $450 million in service-oriented architecture (SOA) projects through its new Accenture Technology Lab for SOA Innovation. The lab will work on developing level-four SOA applications and use the knowledge to improve its methods, processes and tools as part of its goal to develop a blueprint for SOA implementation and expand the company's cross-industry portfolio.
The Lab's first project will aim to integrate the multiple steps involved in e-prescribing. “Focusing on healthcare as a chief opportunity, this pioneering project in e-prescribing is a great way to show the benefit of SOA,” says John Celi, senior executive in the Health & Life Sciences practice: “Look at the e-prescribing process — it involves many players and many different roles for players.” This project will seek to prove the feasibility of such SOA solutions using software and tools available today.
The SOA Lab will also coordinate other work, including integration of such patient monitoring equipment as the LifeShirt, which monitors individuals in the home, tracking falls, heart rate, etc. Plans are to create an environment of seamless integration of electronic services, which will span the individual's total medical needs.
Siemens Seizes Diagnostic Products
Malvern, Pa.-headquartered Siemens Medical Solutions healthcare supplier, part of Germany's Siemens AG, has completed its acquisition of Los Angeles-based Diagnostic Products Corporation (DPC), signaling Siemens' push into the in-vitro diagnostics market. DPC is an immunodiagnostic company that focuses on developing, manufacturing and distributing automated body fluid analyzers and tests. The Siemens move comes as it is set to acquire Tarrytown, N.Y.-based chemical/pharmaceutical company, Bayer Healthcare's Diagnostics Division, which would crown Siemens as the first full-service diagnostics company. Among other things, Siemens will offer immunodiagnostics, genetic testing and lab automation.
