Industry Roundup: Agfa, AMICAS, Array, Data Distributing, Elbit Medical Imaging, Sage/Emdeon
Agfa HealthCare announced that the AZ Monica acute care hospital in Antwerp, Belgium, has inked a deal to install ORBIS, Agfa HealthCare’s comprehensive hospital and clinical IT system. The ORBIS solution will manage the entire patient flow through all departments at AZ Monica’s two hospital sites in Antwerp. The contract marks the first commercial implementation of ORBIS in Belgium. The AZ Monica hospital holds 477 beds distributed over two locations in the city and provides a comprehensive range of health services. Its 786 employees and 175 doctors treat approximately 18,000 inpatients and 40,000 outpatients each year.


AMICAS announced the release of its Vision Series PACS Version 4.2, which represents significant advancements to its proven image management software platform. Version 4.2 enhances the system’s real-time communication capabilities with the company’s RealTimeWorklist, which aids in management of clinical information at the point of care. For example, this suite of enhancements includes bidirectional interface capabilities with HIS/RIS systems for improved communication and workflow. Version 4.2 is also able to display and prioritize exams based on multiple levels of clinical severity. Lastly, the system now includes additional archiving and disaster recovery capabilities with Tivoli Storage Manager from IBM. Vision Series PACS Version 4.2 was formally released in late August following a successful deployment at Newman Regional Hospital in Emporia, Kan.


Array Corporation USA of Hampton, N.H., recently gave financial support to BreastCancerStories.com, a site that provides breast cancer patients with web-based support and information such as resource links to hospitals and cancer centers.


Storage technology provider Data Distributing has announced the availability of a new product in its peripheral line up, CD Wipeout. CD Wipeout provides a way to properly destroy CDs that were burned with patient data. CD Wipeout utilizes a grinding technology that removes the indelible print while simultaneously destroying the data layer. By grinding the CD from the top layer, downward, the patient data imprinted on the top of the disc, such as date of birth and social security number, are removed, as well as the data layer, which resides just under the top surface.
 

Elbit Medical Imaging Ltd. announced today that it has appointed Abraham (Rami) Goren to serve as the vice chairman of the Board of Directors. Goren is in charge of exploration of new investments for Elbit and heads the company’s activities in India as well as its high-tech investments division. Goren has been serving as a director of the company since April and as the executive chairman of the Board of Elscint Limited, a wholly owned Elbit subsidiary since 1999.


Sage Software has completed its purchase of Emdeon Practice Services, and the unit will now be referred to as Sage Software Healthcare Division. The acquisition totaled $565 million. Sage plans to integrate Emdeon’s physician software with its business software and then sell to the already 20,000 doctor’s offices currently using the system, plus new customers. For now, Sage will retain the nearly 1,800 sales, service, and support professionals who develop the company’s practice management and clinical software market. All of Sage Software’s existing business units and new Healthcare Division will continue working as they have.


MIV Therapeutics, a developer of next-generation biocompatible coatings and advanced drug delivery systems for cardiovascular stents and other implantable medical devices, announced a $1 million deal to acquire Vascore Medical, a China-based manufacturer of advanced cardiovascular stents and other medical devices. The Vascore acquisition is being pursued as a key strategic achievement for MIV Therapeutics to accelerate the company’s commercialization of products for the vascular stent market. It is expected that the acquisition, once complete, will provide MIV Therapeutics with additional design, manufacturing, and marketing capabilities.
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