AirStrip, HCA collaborate to expand use of mobile patient monitoring software

HCA (NYSE:HCA) today announced a collaboration with AirStrip Technologies, Inc. that includes expanded use of AirStrip's mobile patient monitoring software and a financial investment in the company.

HCA's Health Insight Capital subsidiary invested in AirStrip alongside the expansion of HCA and AirStrip's commercial collaboration. Health Insight Capital makes equity investments in early stage companies that are selected to provide innovative solutions for use in HCA's operations.

"AirStrip is a leading innovator that we have worked with for several years," said R. Milton Johnson, HCA's President and Chief Financial Officer. "Our collaboration with AirStrip promotes quality patient care by offering physicians the latest technology to access real-time patient data on mobile devices, while our investment facilitates the expansion of AirStrip's platform and capability. We are pleased that Health Insight Capital's investment activities continue to support demonstrated innovators in the healthcare sector."

HCA will expand the availability of AirStrip products to physicians at its hospitals. AirStrip CARDIOLOGY, has been in use at a limited number of HCA facilities but soon will be available for broader use by HCA-affiliated physicians. The software allows physicians to view real-time electrocardiograms (ECGs) and access historical ECG data on mobile devices. Physicians at most HCA hospitals that offer obstetrical services have been using AirStrip OB, which enables obstetricians to remotely monitor fetal heart rates, since 2007.