The VHA Inc. signed two agreements that will offer its network of community-owned healthcare organizations a larger selection of emergency department information systems software.

VHA renewed a three-year contract with ibex Healthdata Systems, of Rosemont, Ill., and established a new three-year relationship with MedHost Inc., of Addison, Texas.

ibex will offer its Web-browser based PulseCheck system and MedHost will provide the emergency department management system, which uses client-server technology. The systems aid hospitals in better dealing with challenges emergency departments face nationwide, such as over crowding and increased regulatory and reporting requirements.