Cardiac Imaging/Informatics System Provides Interoperable Cardiology Image Exchange across 3,200-Bed Network

A complete cardiology solution suite has been designed to capture, manage, and display cardiac images, and hemodynamics and electrocardiographic (ECG) data across an enterprise of more than 250 care sites, including 10 acute-care hospitals and 2 integrated children’s hospitals.

Merge Healthcare, Inc. (Chicago, IL, USA), a provider of enterprise imaging and interoperability solutions, reported that Advocate Health Care (Oak Brook, IL, USA), one of the top 10 healthcare systems in the US, will implement Merge’s cardiology solution suite. “Advocate is an example for others to follow as they’ve set in place a strategy that promotes the sharing of images and information across their enterprise,” said Jeff Surges, CEO, Merge Healthcare. “They are taking the critically important step of providing physicians with access to images and information regardless of their location. With this type of ‘anywhere, anytime’ access to images and information, they’re delivering on a plan that will help improve the healthcare experience for patients and physicians.”

“There are a number of reasons Advocate partnered with Merge Healthcare,” said Dr. Lee Sacks, executive vice president, chief medical officer, Advocate Health Care. “We valued their approach because it is a true partnership. That’s something we believe is key to long-term success. Second, their solutions are highly-respected by users.”

“As a cardiologist, I need to have immediate access to a patient’s complete cardiology record to ensure I make the most informed medical decisions,” said Dr. Vincent Bufalino, Advocate Health Care. “With Merge’s solutions, I can see cardiology images wherever I am--whether I’m at the hospital, in my office, or even at a remote location. Having this type of access is immensely beneficial.”

Advocate selected the full range of Merge Cardiology solutions for its ability to help improve workflow and enhance patient care. With Merge Cardio, patient information is integrated from different sources into a centralized web-based system. As a result, cardiologists can quickly access their patient’s complete cardiology file from a single point (including the electronic medical record [EMR]), generate a report, and distribute it in a single session--even if they are at a remote location.

With the simplified reporting tools intrinsic to Merge Cardio, physicians can now receive data and reports more rapidly, and in a more consistent manner. Moreover, with its integration with the industry’s top EMRs, that data can be accessed timely and securely regardless of location.

The Merge Cardiology suite includes Merge Cardio, an enterprise-level image and information system; Merge Hemo, a catheterization laboratory knowledge tool for data collection, analysis and reporting, iConnect Access, a zero-download Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) image and XDS (extended data services) viewer; and iConnect Share, an Internet-based gateway for image sharing.

Related Links:
Merge Healthcare
Advocate Health Care