Merge Healthcare Announces 19 Contracts for iConnect

Merge Healthcare Incorporated MRGE, a leading provider of clinical systems and innovations that seek to transform healthcare, today announced first quarter momentum for iConnect® Network with 19 new contract wins. iConnect Network, Merge's advanced interoperability network for the exchange of clinical data, enables healthcare organizations to reduce costs, increase referrals and meet Meaningful Use 2 (MU2) requirements. "We've worked with Merge for several years, leveraging their PACS and cardiology solutions, so it was an easy choice to implement Merge's vendor-neutral archive and iConnect Network for a comprehensive, enterprise-wide imaging strategy," said Dave Holland, CIO at Southern Illinois Healthcare, Merge's first hospital customer to sign up for iConnect Network. "Despite having a health information exchange in place, we needed a single solution that handles imaging as it becomes more important to healthcare as a whole. With iConnect Network, we'll meet MU2 requirements for the exchange of images and, most importantly, enable better access to imaging for physicians in order to provide the best care for our patients." In addition to Southern Illinois' adoption of iConnect Network, the following organizations are among the new contracts, including MBB Radiology in Jacksonville, FL, Radiology Imaging Associates PC in Denver, CO, Southwest Diagnostic Imaging Center in Dallas, TX, St. Paul Radiology in St. Paul, MN and Washington Radiology Associates PC in Fairfax, VA. iConnect Network v2.0, the latest release of Merge's advanced interoperability solution, expands the offering with several advancements for customers enabling them to: Deliver radiology reports natively into referring physician electronic health records, without the cost of building custom interfaces through the use of partner networks; Meet MU attestation by quickly indicating when an imaging report was delivered, to whom and when the images were accessed; Simplify system workflows and identify physicians in the network with directory search capabilities; and Access more in depth reporting with links to diagnostic quality images uploaded directly into the provider's electronic health record. "The momentum Merge has gained with iConnect Network so far this year reinforces our view that our customers need true interoperable environments to communicate with community physicians outside of their four walls," said Justin Dearborn, CEO of Merge. "Collaboration and innovation between health systems, providers and radiologists are keys for achieving such an environment. Merge's ongoing success in creating and launching our advanced imaging and interoperability network is a tribute to our customers diligence as they push ahead to meet new value-based care models and regulatory mandates to enhance the overall patient care experience within their organizations." About Southern Illinois Healthcare Southern Illinois Healthcare, a not-for-profit healthcare system, is dedicated to promoting the health and well being of all of the people within the communities they serve. With over 3,000 employees, physicians and volunteers, SIH is as committed to quality health services today as it was when its first hospital opened in 1875, making this a reality by treating patients in SIH facilities in collaboration with some of America's best hospitals. To learn more about SIH, visit www.sih.net.