Lutheran HealthCare Selects Merge Healthcare for Enterprise-Wide Imaging Platform

Utilizes iConnect(R) Solution to Expand Archive Capacity; Ensure Full Business Continuity

CHICAGO, May 9, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Merge Healthcare Incorporated (Nasdaq:MRGE), a leading provider of enterprise imaging and interoperability solutions, today announced that Lutheran HealthCare, Brooklyn’s premier health care network, has selected its iConnect® portfolio to create an enterprise-wide imaging platform across its hospital system.

“In the U.S. alone, more than 480 million radiology exams are performed a year,” said Jeff Surges, CEO of Merge Healthcare. “Hand-in-hand with this is an increase in the cost of image storage and maintenance. These factors, as well as the need to expand archive capacity have led many organizations to adopt a long-term enterprise-wide imaging strategy.”

In the next few years, most networks that conduct more than 150,000 imaging studies annually will deploy enterprise-wide VNAs, and the number of organizations with this volume of studies will only increase as industry consolidation continues. The growth of VNA installations is driven by the benefits they deliver, which include improved efficiency through reductions in complexity, improved access to images through better data sharing and interoperability, support for Meaningful Use and accountable care strategies and streamlined costs.

“Our goal was to expand our archive capacity, and by doing so we were able to build a fully redundant infrastructure that insulates us from upgrade downtime,” said Steve Art, CIO, Lutheran HealthCare.

Merge’s iConnect suite is the industry’s only comprehensive solution for collecting, archiving, viewing, sharing and exchanging any type of image, anywhere, any time. It includes iConnect Access*, a zero-download DICOM image and XDS server; iConnect Share, an Internet-based gateway for image sharing between enterprises; and iConnect VNA, a vendor neutral archive to create an enterprise imaging strategy. It works with existing applications, leveraging widely-used web and healthcare technology standards, to provide a vendor neutral interoperable environment.

The addition of the Merge iConnect suite will complement the existing portfolio at Lutheran HealthCare which includes Merge PACS, a real-time picture archiving communication system that provides storage and access to images from any enterprise web-based location.

*iConnect Access is not FDA-cleared for diagnostic use on mobile devices.

About Merge Healthcare

Merge Healthcare is a leading provider of enterprise imaging and interoperability solutions, with a client base consisting of more than 1,500 hospitals and 6,000 clinics across the country. 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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About Lutheran HealthCare

As Brooklyn’s premier health care network, Lutheran HealthCare (LHC) is a comprehensive medical and social support system committed to providing services for the whole person — physically, emotionally and spiritually. The LHC system of community health providers includes Lutheran Medical Center, the Lutheran Family Health Centers, Lutheran Augustana Center for Extended Care and Rehabilitation, Community Care Organization, Inc, senior housing programs and more. Learn about LHC and its 129-year-old commitment to serving Brooklyn neighborhoods by visiting www.lutheranhealthcare.org. Click here for nine ways to connect with Lutheran on social media.

   

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