CHICAGO, Dec. 17, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Merge Healthcare, an IBM Company (NYSE: IBM ), today announced an agreement with MedAllies that intends to advance the interoperability of medical image ordering and results delivery services for nearly 300,000 physicians whose secure communication capability is currently accessible by MedAllies.
MedAllies is a health information service provider (HISP) that enables connected healthcare organizations to exchange authenticated personal health information over the internet — regardless of the EHR used. Its National Direct Network currently includes more than 4,500 healthcare organizations and more than 60,000 Direct network users.
MedAllies will leverage Merge’s vendor-neutral referral management platform, called iConnect® Network Services (iCNS), to simplify image ordering and results delivery for its connected users. The iCNS platform will enable those users to replace inefficient processes — that rely on paper, fax and costly multiple point-to-point connections — with a single innovative electronic solution to order medical imaging studies and receive results.
“The importance of this collaboration cannot be overstated,” said A. John Blair, III, MD, MedAllies chief executive officer. ”When it comes to improving healthcare, coordinating care and lowering costs, a missing critical component has been interoperability among imaging providers and referring physicians. By working with Merge, MedAllies will be advancing interoperability on a grand scale.”
The MedAllies National Direct Network connects to all Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC) and Direct Trusted Agent Accreditation Program (DTAP) accredited HISPs, which currently provides access to more 760,000 Direct network users.
“Through iConnect Network Services, Merge Healthcare provides the infrastructure needed to drive a dramatic shift to automated image ordering and results delivery,” said Justin Dearborn, chief executive officer of Merge. “The collaboration between Merge and MedAllies aims to ensure that providers connected through the MedAllies network can simplify referral management and achieve significant efficiencies.”
About MedAllies MedAllies, founded in 2001, has extensive experience with EHR implementations and workflow redesign to improve clinical care. It provides unmatched expertise in interoperability, health information exchange and Direct services. As one of the ONC Direct Reference Implementation vendors, MedAllies has provided Direct services since the Direct Project’s inception. MedAllies Direct Solutions™ builds on existing technology to achieve interoperability. It focuses on provider adoption and use of EHRs for clinical workflow integration beyond the walls of their organizations over the MedAllies Direct Network. Physicians use their current EHR systems, allowing information to flow across disparate EHR systems in a manner consistent with provider workflows. MedAllies Direct Solutions is a tool to advance primary care models that emphasize care coordination and improved care transitions, and support patient-centered care.
About Merge Healthcare Merge, an IBM Company, 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 using a standard internet browser or mobile device. 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 and improve efficiencies, which enhances the quality of healthcare worldwide. For more information, visit merge.com and follow us on Twitter @MergeHealthcare .
Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 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 .
Media Contact: Michael R. Klozotsky Vice President, Corporate Marketing 312.529.1441 Michael.Klozotsky@merge.com
