Patient engagement just got a boost with GetWellNetwork's acquisition of San Diego-based Skylight Healthcare Systems.

The financial terms of the deal, which closed on September 1, were not disclosed.

Research firm KLAS has ranked the two companies No. 1 and No. 2 for patient engagement for the past five years.

Both companies describe themselves as early pioneers in interactive patient care, or IPC. Each company brings more than 15 years of patient and family engagement experience to the newly formed entity. They plan to leverage this expertise to accelerate product development and expand clinical transformation services. The goal is to continue to drive better patient outcomes and inspire individuals to improve their own health, the CEOs state in a news release announcing the acquisition.

[See also: Hospitals find new benefits in 'Interactive patient systems.]

"The combination of the industry's most experienced IPC providers will have a profound impact on the healthcare landscape," said Michael O'Neil, GetWellNetwork's founder and CEO, in a statement. "Effective patient engagement – the kind of engagement that actually leads to better outcomes – is a science that requires years of expertise to cultivate. Skylight's employees and clients share that vision with us."

"Coming together with GetWellNetwork will serve to strengthen our relentless commitment to enhancing the patient experience at every point along their journey of care," added Tom Klopack, Skylight's CEO. "We will all benefit from new levels of clinical collaboration, technology integration, and the growing commitment to transform and improve care quality and outcomes.

O'Neil will serve as CEO of the combined company, which will continue to be headquartered in Bethesda, Md. The San Diego office will become a West Coast "innovation hub" for GetWellNetwork, officials say.

[See also: Top 3 perks of patient engagement.]