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
Copyright Business Wire 2009
