Two health information technology mergers have been announced so far this week, with First Databank acquiring Design Clinicals, a developer of medication reconciliation technology, and the SSI Group acquiring analytics firm Medibis.

San Francisco-based First Databank announced Tuesday that it has acquired Seattle-based Design Clinicals with an eye toward helping its hospital clients meets Stages 1 and 2 of meaningful use.

Medication reconciliation has been one of the most frequently deferred Stage 1 menu objectives by eligible hospitals, FDB officials point out. But with medication reconciliation now required for Stage 2, hospitals are looking for better ways to ensure information accuracy.

Design Clinicals' flagship tool, MedsTracker, integrates with CPOE, pharmacy and EMAR systems. It is modular certification for Stage 1 meaningful use for both ambulatory and inpatient practice for medication reconciliation and decision support and is in the process of securing modular certification for Stage 2.

With MedsTracker users reporting increased accuracy of home medication lists; efficiency of discharge medication orders and electronic prescribing; reductions in missed medications, duplicate therapies, and incorrect dosing; and workflow efficiencies with measurable time savings for clinicians, FDB officials say it will be an enhancement to its existing drug knowledge and decision support technologies.

"The optimal electronic medication reconciliation solution needs to incorporate intuitive drug knowledge and seamlessly integrate with the leading information system vendors," said Bob Katter, executive vice president, FDB, in a press statement. "We are extremely excited to combine our areas of expertise and partner with our customers to help make medication reconciliation work better for their clinicians and patients."

Design Clinicals' tools are available through FDB effective immediately, officials say. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

On Monday, Mobile, Ala.-based SSI Group, which develops revenue cycle management technology, acquired Oklahoma City-based Medibis. Officials say the deal will expand SSI's offerings to ambulatory and surgery centers nationwide.

Medibis develops tools such as analytics, dashboards and mobile applications that aim to turn raw data into business intelligence. Its technology seeks to streamline administration and operations by integrating with with the back-end of physician, ambulatory surgery center and hospital information systems, building a private network of data from these systems.

Officials say the acquisition of Medibis, which will operate as an independent organization within the SSI Group, will help ambulatory clients manage expanding demands on their facilities.

"I am pleased to welcome Medibis to the SSI family," said Jimmy Lyons, president and CEO of the SSI Group, in a press statement, noting that its mobile business intelligence tools, combined with SSI's claims editing and clearinghouse services, will make for "a compelling product suite in the rapidly expanding ambulatory surgery center market."

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