Merge Healthcare Incorporated (Nasdaq:MRGE), a leading provider of clinical systems and innovations that seek to transform healthcare, today announced that Sinai Health System, a Chicago-based non-profit health system comprised of seven member organizations, has selected Merge for its vendor-neutral archive (VNA), image sharing and picture archiving communication systems (PACS), as well as its cardiology information management and hemodynamics solution. The partnership aims to improve workflow while reducing overall costs for the entire health system.

"When we acquired Holy Cross Hospital, it became clear that we needed to find an imaging management solution that enables us to run on a single platform across our health system," said Peter Ingram, vice president and CIO of Sinai Health System. "Combined with hospital cost pressures and our population-based delivery care model, we found Merge to not only be the most economical for us, but also a partner who could provide the radiology and cardiology imaging expertise that we needed within a VNA."

Sinai Health System selected Merge to replace several end-of-life software systems as well as prepare for Meaningful Use Stage 2 attestation. In order to create an integrated imaging environment, the following technologies will be implemented, including:

  --  iConnect(R) Enterprise Clinical Platform for interoperable image
      viewing, sharing and archiving across the enterprise at the point of
      care to enhance patient care and strengthen referral networks.
  --  Merge PACS(TM) to read, review, archive and share images and reports
      from a single location in real time, improving interactions with
      radiologists and referring physicians.
  --  Merge Cardio(TM) for easy access and management to a patient's
      integrated cardiovascular record for streamlined reporting and
      distribution with an intuitive framework. In addition, Merge Cardio
      automates the capture of charges to speed reimbursement.
  --  Merge Hemo(TM), ranked number one by KLAS, to automate cath lab data
      collection, analysis and reporting processes for easy integration into
      an electronic health record (EHR).

"At the end of the day, we want to provide a system that radiologists, cardiologists and referring physicians are happy to use, while helping support a more efficient workflow," continued Ingram. "We foresee mobilizing clinical data outside the enterprise in the near future and truly finding our place in an interoperable workflow through implementation of Merge technology."

"We're thrilled to partner with Sinai Health System to deliver an effective approach for achieving imaging integration across their enterprise," said Justin Dearborn, CEO of Merge. "Our commitment to providing the industry with innovative, long-term and advanced imaging solutions is backed by Merge's recent Frost & Sullivan 'Best in Interoperability' ranking. Further, our partnership will enable Sinai Health System to successfully manage current and upcoming industry trends and legislative drivers, such as Meaningful Use Stage 2 attestation. We believe Sinai's forward thinking approach to imaging integration will be replicated by other large health systems seeking a more efficient methodology for managing traditional disparate systems."