HCS NOW HCS
Hospital Computer Systems, Inc., (HCS), Farmingdale, N.J., has changed its name to Health Care Software to better identify its focus as a software provider company, officials say. HCS provides the INTERACTANT integrated healthcare information system.
ASTM ESTABLISHES TRANSCRIPTION WORK GROUP
The ASTM subcommittee on Health Information Transcription established a work group to create a standard format for hospitals to follow when transcribing patient records. Transcriptionists will be required to prepare reports that meet the standards, which is expected to make it easier to create electronic patient records and implement HIPAA standards.
SUPERIOR ACQUIRES AVIANT
Superior Consultant Holdings Corporation, Southfield, Mich., acquired Aviant Information, Inc., Simi Valley, Calif., a subsidiary of Whittaker Corp., specializing in systems integration, including project management, network design, network planning, simulation, implementation and support. The transaction is valued at $5.1 million.
KODAK ACQUIRES IMATION’S MEDICAL IMAGING BUSINESS
Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N.Y., will acquire most of Imation’s, Oakdale, Minn., worldwide medical imaging business. Kodak will pay $520 million for Imation’s manufacturing facilities in White City, Oregon and Oakdale, Minn., as well as its Cemax-Icon subsidiary in Freemont, Calif. Kodak is also acquiring Imation’s Dry View laser imaging business.
NEW ELECTRONIC DATA SECURITY STANDARDS PROPOSED
Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala announced proposed electronic data security standards for medical records. The standards are mandated by HIPAA, and include administrative requirements and technical guidance for health plans, healthcare providers and healthcare clearinghouses that maintain or transmit personal medical information electronically. Participating organizations will also be required to develop safeguards ensuring confidentiality of medical information.
HBOC INVESTS IN INTERNET COMPANY
HBOC, Atlanta, announced a five percent equity investment in WebMD, Inc., Atlanta. WebMD provides Internet services and technology to medical professionals. HBOC will provide patient test results and health library services as part of the WebMD package.
KINETRA NETWORKS HUMANA
Kinetra LLC, Golden, Colo., will expand Humana Inc.’s, Louisville, Ky., physician connectivity strategy with an electronic network and interfaces linking 13 additional Humana markets and a potential 25,000 providers. The physician connectivity initiative will allow Humana’s affiliated providers to electronically conduct medical management transactions, as well as claims and administrative transactions.
MEDICAL INDUSTRIES, PHYSICIAN HEALTH TO MERGE
Medical Industries of America, Inc., Boynton Beach, Fla., and Physician Health Corp., Atlanta, have announced they will merge in the fourth quarter 1998, pending shareholder approval. The combined company will be called MedSurg Ancillaries, Inc., and has the goal of increasing its share of the outpatient ancillary services market.
