Doctors and nurses use multiple screens at Visicu workstations to monitor patients in real time. Source: Visicu

Royal Philips Electronics has agreed to acquire Baltimore-based clinical IT firm Visicu for approximately $425 million (EUR 290 million), to expand its patient monitoring business. In December 2007, Philips entered a merger agreement with Visicu to acquire the entire share capital of the company for close to $300 million (EUR 200 million).

The deal, Philip’s second major healthcare IT deal within a month, is expected to close in the first quarter of 2008.

Philips also announced in December 2007 its plans to acquire Boca Raton, Fla.-based Emergin, which provides software used to transmit medical alarm signals throughout hospitals. Philips said the acquisitions will help to boost the company profile as the business prepares to split into three divisions – consumer electronics, lighting and medical products.