Merge Healthcare to launch new anesthesia information management solutions at ASA 2009 Annual Meeting

As increased regulatory compliance and pay-for-performance models are leading to higher requirements for electronic data collection and professional fee billing of surgery-related procedures, Merge Healthcare, (NASDAQ:MRGE), has responded with new anesthesia information management solutions (AIMS), which will be on display at the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) 2009 Annual Meeting. This portfolio from Merge uses forms-based electronic templates, flexible software and user-friendly tools that reduce documentation time, improve data accuracy and charge capture, and allow for hospitals to make a rapid transition from paper-based systems to electronic systems that can seamlessly integrate with a patient’s electronic health record (EHR).

Merge Healthcare will exhibit three new solutions at the ASA:

Frontiers™ 4.3*
This AIMS/PCIMS (anesthesia information management solution/perioperative care information management solution) builds on Frontiers’ renowned forms-based interface to add a new Multi-Location Pre-Op Module. This module provides Pre-Op nurses the ability to switch between cases in a matter of seconds, helping improve patient care and throughput. The latest version also monitors and automatically records the perfusion record, and offers new roaming station capabilities that give clinicians the ability to complete an entire record from any location within the hospital network without need of additional IT configuration.

Frontiers Sidecar*
The Frontiers Sidecar is a unique, small-footprint appliance used to document procedures within the electronic Frontiers chart. Its uniquely ergonomic navigation dial and procedure-specific buttons allow clinicians who are involved in a patient procedure to effortlessly chart procedures using just one hand, without having to take their focus off the patient.

Frontiers Patient Portal*
The Frontiers Patient Portal simplifies the pre-surgical testing process, while helping minimize the number of surgery cancellations due to inconvenient and sometimes awkward face-to-face testing processes. Logging onto the secure portal from their computer or mobile device, patients can privately complete a health survey designed to elicit the utmost in accuracy and thoroughness of a patient’s health, and provide pre-surgical clinicians important information for determining the risk level of each surgery candidate. Additionally, the portal can be used as an intermediary to provide the patient with pre-surgery instructions, directions and other pertinent information, further minimizing efforts for both patient and provider.