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WALTHAM, Mass.(BUSINESS WIRE)
Fresenius Medical Care North America, operator of the nation's leading
network of dialysis facilities, today announced it has purchased
Nashville-based Health IT Services Group (HITSG) and its portfolio of
products including Acumen nEHR, a nephrology-specific electronic health
record.
A web-enabled application designed by nephrologists for nephrologists,
Acumen nEHR provides physician practices with a comprehensive clinical
system integrating care within the physician practice, dialysis unit,
hospital, pharmacy, laboratory and vascular access center. The system
also addresses care for all patients of the nephrologist including those
suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) that can lead to End Stage
Renal Disease (ESRD) requiring dialysis or transplantation. This
strategic acquisition is an important step for Fresenius Medical Care in
further solidifying the company's leadership position in renal care
through the utilization of superior health information technology.
This purchase will enable Fresenius Medical Care to further expand the
availability of the signature Acumen nEHR product, and other innovative
clinical IT solutions to nephrologists, which will enhance their
efficiency and ability to provide superior clinical care for their
patients. With this strategic acquisition, we continue to deliver on our
goal of bringing a comprehensive service portfolio to nephrologists, for
the benefit of patients. Acumen nEHR is another important component in
strengthening our comprehensive strategic information technology
offerings,? said Mats Wahlstrom, CO-CEO of Fresenius Medical Care North
America (FMCNA).
Since our strategic partnership with Fresenius Medical Care in 2007, we
have experienced tremendous growth in the Acumen brand of
nephrology-specific tools that enhance a provider's ability to deliver
superior care to all of their patients with kidney disease,? said Dr.
Franklin W. Maddux, founder of HITSG. Fresenius Medical Care and HITSG
share a deep commitment in supporting high quality medical care for
patients with renal disease and advancing the tools and methods
nephrologists use to provide that care.?
Dr. Maddux will become Senior Vice President and Chief Medical
Information Officer (CMIO) for FMCNA, reporting to the Chief Medical
Officer. The appointment of Frank Maddux to this position emphasizes
our belief that effective IT solutions create a strong competitive
advantage for FMCNA and the physicians we support in providing excellent
patient care.? said Wahlstrom.
This acquisition positions FMCNA to help nephrologists respond to the
concepts of meaningful use of electronic health records and health
information exchange emerging from the HIT stimulus provisions of The
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Additionally, the
acquisition positions FMCNA to favorably respond to the evolving
coordinated, preventive and chronic disease management care emphasized
in the current healthcare reform provisions under legislative review.
About Fresenius Medical Care
Fresenius Medical Care North America is a subsidiary of Fresenius
Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA, the world's largest integrated provider of
products and services for individuals undergoing dialysis because of
chronic kidney failure, a condition that affects more than 1,770,000
individuals worldwide. Through its network of 2,478 dialysis clinics in
North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and Africa, Fresenius
Medical Care provides dialysis treatment to approximately 190,080
patients around the globe. Fresenius Medical Care is also the world's
leading provider of dialysis products such as hemodialysis machines,
dialyzers and related disposable products. Fresenius Medical Care is
listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FME, FME3) and the New York
Stock Exchange (FMS, FMS-p). For more information about FMCNA's U.S.
network of more than 1,700 dialysis facilities, visit the Company's
website at www.ultracare-dialysis.com
(in English and Spanish). For more information about Fresenius Medical
Care, visit the Company's website: www.fmc-ag.com.
About Acumen nEHR
Acumen nEHR was created to develop and deliver intuitive software tools
to assist nephrologists in the practice of medicine and to better manage
their practices. The technology enhances the care team's ability to
maintain, track, and communicate medical, patient, and business
information. With ASP-based solutions designed by nephrologists,the
integrated suite of clinical tools support workflow within the medical
office, hospital and dialysis unit to effectively streamline the access,
storage, and distribution of patient clinical information. For more
information regarding Acumen nEHR go to www.AcumenEHR.com.
Loomis Group
Jaclyn Petros, 617-638-0022 / voice
petrosj@loomisgroup.com
or
Fresenius
Medical Care N.A.
Rosemary Heinold, 781-699-4171 / voice
rosemary.heinold@fmc-na.com
Source: Fresenius Medical Care North America
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