CHICAGO, Feb. 12, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Merge Healthcare Incorporated (Nasdaq: MRGE ), a leading provider of innovative enterprise imaging, interoperability and clinical systems that seek to advance healthcare, today announced that its radiology solutions have been certified for Meaningful Use (MU), broadening its commitment to radiology customers who participate in the program as well as lead their healthcare environments toward overall imaging interoperability. Merge PACS™ , iConnect® Access and Merge RIS™ are all now Office of the National Coordinator Authorized Certification Body (ONC-ACB) certified under the 2014 criteria.
"From the very start of MU, Merge took a long-term view with the program, enabling us to develop and further expand solutions that meet the mandate so that our customers can continue to be successful in their imaging businesses," said Justin Dearborn, CEO at Merge Healthcare. "With the addition of imaging as a new menu measure in the 2014 rule, we believe that further investing and certifying our portfolio of imaging solutions will allow our customers and their referring physicians to more easily succeed with Stage 2 compliance. Qualifying this broader solution for MU is a testament of Merge's ongoing dedication to standards and leadership in radiology and interoperability."
Merge originally began its commitment to MU in 2011 by transforming Merge RIS to be a complete, certified EHR as defined by the program measures. Today, the following Merge solutions are certified for MU, including:
- Merge RIS to store, manage and distribute patient radiology information for streamlined administrative efficiencies that meets MU requirements.
- iConnect Access for referring physician image review capabilities from any browser-based device, enabling radiologists to grow their referring physician base.
- Merge PACS to read, review, archive and share images and reports from a single location in real time, improving interactions with radiologists and referring physicians.
- Merge OrthoPACS™ to store, view, manipulate and share orthopedic images from any browser-based device providing orthopedic physicians a more efficient workflow.
- Merge Eye Care PACS™ for automatically importing images and diagnostic reports through a web-based system, creating a comprehensive patient record and helping ophthalmologists meet MU2 criteria.
- Merge LIS™ for automated lab processes to expand lab capabilities and provide a central administration point, ultimately strengthening customer base.
"Meaningful Use is a big part of our overarching strategy at Triad Radiology. By leveraging Merge's certified technology, we have not only achieved MU but are also able to support referring physicians in their own quest to achieve MU," said Tom Smith, CIO at Triad Radiology Associates . "It's about the ability to share patient data in real time, enabling patients to receive better care, faster than ever before. We wouldn't be at the forefront of attestation and patient care efforts without Merge."
"Now, they can also build and implement interoperability and enterprise imaging strategies for this next stage which focuses more on health information exchange." continued Dearborn. "We are proud to help our customers further become leaders in their respective healthcare ecosystems."
Drummond Group's ONC-ACB certification program certifies that EHRs meet the MU criteria for either eligible provider or hospital technology. In turn, healthcare providers using the EHR systems of certified vendors are qualified to receive federal stimulus monies upon demonstrating meaningful use of the technology – a key component of the federal government's push to improve clinical care delivery through the adoption and effective use of EHRs by U.S. healthcare providers.
To learn more about Merge Interoperability, Radiology, Eye Care and Orthopedic Solutions, visit Merge at booth #5551 at the HIMSS 14 Annual Conference & Exhibition on February 23-27 in Orlando, FL.
Merge Healthcare's Complete EHR Ambulatory, Merge RIS 8.0 2014 Edition is compliant and has been certified by an ONC-ACB in accordance with the applicable certification criteria adopted by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This certification does not represent an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or guarantee the receipt of incentive payments.
Merge RIS 8.0 holds Certificate No. 01302014‐2014‐6, with quality measures tested for CMS050v2; CMS068v3; CMS069v2;CMS125v2; CMS129v3; CMS134v2; CMS138v2;CMS140v2; CMS156v2; CMS157v2; CMS166v3, additional software used Medline Connect, and was certified on 1/30/14, effective date 2014 Edition.
Merge Healthcare's Merge PACS 6.6 is 2014 Edition compliant and has been certified by an ONC-ACB in accordance with the applicable certification criteria adopted by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This certification does not represent an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or guarantee the receipt of incentive payments.
Merge PACS 6.6 holds Certificate No. 12022013-2305-6 and was certified on 12/02/2013, effective date 2014 Edition. Certification requires Merge PACS 6.6 or higher.
Merge Healthcare's EHR Modular (Ambulatory), iConnect Access 5.0 2014 Edition is compliant and has been certified by an ONC-ACB in accordance with the applicable certification criteria adopted by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This certification does not represent an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or guarantee the receipt of incentive payments.
Merge iConnect Access 5.0 holds Certificate No. 02072014‐2018‐6, and was certified on 2/07/14, effective date 2014 Edition.
Merge Healthcare's Merge OrthoPACS 6.6 is 2014 Edition compliant and has been certified by an ONC-ACB in accordance with the applicable certification criteria adopted by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This certification does not represent an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or guarantee the receipt of incentive payments.
Merge OrthoPACS 6.6 (inpatient) holds Certificate No. 12022013-2305-6A and was certified on 12/19/2013, effective date 2014 Edition. Merge OrthoPACS 6.6 (ambulatory) holds Certificate No. 12022013-2306-6A and was certified on 12/19/2013, effective date 2014 Edition. Certification requires Merge OrthoPACS 6.6 or higher.
Merge Healthcare's Merge Eye Care PACS is certified as 2014 Edition compliant and has been certified by an ONC-ACB in accordance with the applicable certification criteria adopted by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This certification does not represent an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or guarantee the receipt of incentive payments.
Merge Eye Care PACS Holds Certificate No. 11112013-2081-6 and was certified on 11/11/2013, effective date 2014 edition. Merge Eye Care PACS for Inpatient Holds Certificate No. 11112013-2080-6 and was certified on 11/11/2013, effective date 2014 edition.
Merge Healthcare's EHR Modular (Inpatient) 2014 Edition is compliant and has been certified by an ONC-ACB in accordance with the applicable certification criteria adopted by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This certification does not represent an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or guarantee the receipt of incentive payments.
Merge's LIS version 4.0 holds certificate No. 11212013‐2018‐6 and was certified on 11/21/13, effective date 2014 edition.
Drummond Group is accredited by ANSI and approved by ONC for the ONC HIT Certification Program to certify: Complete EHR, EHR Module (all), and Certification of other types of HIT for which the Secretary has adopted certification criteria under Subpart C of 45 CFR.
About Triad Radiology Associates
Triad Radiology seeks to provide the best service, quality, care and value in diagnostic imaging. Service for us means customer service - treating each patient exactly how we ourselves would like our family and loved ones to be treated. With 36 radiologists and six mid-level practitioners on staff, our care givers have the credentials and experience to ensure you receive the highest quality imaging services. All of our radiologists are Board Certified. For more information, visit www.triadradiology.com .
About Merge
Merge is a leading provider of innovative enterprise imaging, interoperability and clinical systems that seek to advance healthcare. Merge's enterprise and cloud-based technologies for image intensive specialties provide access to any image, anywhere, any time. Merge also provides clinical trials software with end-to-end study support in a single platform and other intelligent health data and analytics solutions. With solutions that have been used by providers for more than 25 years, Merge is helping to reduce costs, improve efficiencies and enhance the quality of healthcare worldwide. For more information, visit merge.com and follow us @MergeHealthcare .
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The matters discussed in this news release may include forward-looking statements, which could involve a number of risks and uncertainties. When used in this press release, the words "will," "believes," "intends," "anticipates," "expects" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. Except as expressly required by the federal securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update such factors or to publicly announce the results of any of the forward-looking statements.
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