Merge Healthcare Releases Image Archiving in the Cloud Via Merge Honeycomb(TM)

Cloud Storage Expected to Account for 35% of Future VNA Image Study Storage by 2015*

CHICAGO, May 1, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Merge Healthcare (Nasdaq:MRGE), a leading provider of enterprise imaging and interoperability solutions, announced today the release of Merge Honeycomb Archive, a new image archiving application available within its cloud-based platform.

“With imaging accounting for up to 90% of all data stored in electronic health records, it is clear that image availability and exchange is critical to delivering quality patient care,” said Jeff Surges, CEO of Merge Healthcare. “Add in privacy rules that require storage of electronic health data, including digital images, and you see how the need to securely and cost-effectively store and share medical images has grown – specifically in the cloud.”

Merge Honeycomb cloud-based applications are designed to help healthcare stakeholders collaborate and improve the delivery of care while reducing costs. Merge’s newest cloud-based application, Merge Honeycomb Archive, provides a long-term storage option that houses images securely, in multiple locations, providing anywhere, any time access. It delivers comprehensive functionality in a high-availability, high-security framework that meets HIPAA, HITECH and other privacy requirements.

Merge Honeycomb Archive provides the attractive feature of scalability. As an organization’s storage needs increase, they can simply add capacity in Merge Honeycomb Archive. Another benefit of Merge Honeycomb Archive is its ability to eliminate the management and maintenance of onsite hardware, and the challenges associated with power, cooling and bandwidth. And because it is sold via a SaaS-based payment model, it removes the burden of having to make large, upfront capital expenditures typically related to hardware and software purchases, and meets the increasing demand for a ‘per click, per study’ model.

Image archiving is the second application available with Merge Honeycomb. Merge Honeycomb Image Sharing was the first application, which enables users to upload, download, view and share medical images. With Merge Honeycomb Image Sharing, users can learn the history of a recent imaging event or review prior studies before a current imaging exam simply by connecting to the Image Sharing network and requesting images from or sharing images with other providers or even with patients.

Merge Cloud Solutions consist of the Merge Honeycomb web application; iConnect Access, a zero-download DICOM image viewer; iConnect Share, an Internet-based gateway for image sharing between enterprises; and iConnect VNA, a vendor neutral archive which can be utilized to create an enterprise imaging strategy backbone. Merge Honeycomb interfaces with iConnect Share via secure web services to coordinate study uploads and to query uploaded studies.

To sign up for a free account with Merge Honeycomb, visit www.merge.com/honeycomb.

*InMedica study, “World Market for Medical Enterprise Data Storage – Vendor-Neutral Archiving (VNA)” 2012.

About Merge Healthcare

Merge Healthcare is a leading provider of enterprise imaging and interoperability solutions. Merge solutions facilitate the sharing of images to create a more effective and efficient electronic healthcare experience for patients and physicians. Merge provides enterprise imaging solutions for radiology, cardiology, orthopaedics and eye care; a suite of products for clinical trials; software for financial and pre-surgical management, and applications that fuel the largest modality vendors in the world. Merge’s products have been used by healthcare providers, vendors and researchers worldwide to improve patient care for more than 20 years. Additional information can be found at www.merge.com.

   

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