Healthcare IT company Healthland, which focuses on the small community and critical access hospitals market, has completed its acquisition of American Healthnet, based in Omaha, Neb.

It's Healthland's second acquisition in a single year, executives said, adding that it widens the gap between the company and its competitors in the small community hospital market.

Healthland did not disclose the details of the AHN acquisition.

In September 2008, Healthland acquired Advanced Professional Software, Inc. of Waco, Texas, giving Healthland a foothold in the South. The deal added 140 customers to Healthland's 350-customer portfolio.

Both Healthland and AHN serve virtually the same market and, as a result of the acquisition, Healthland will acquire all of AHN's customers (executives did not disclose the number).

"Our future is about creating loyal customers by providing a superior experience from start to finish," said James Burgess, president and CEO of Healthland. "It's imperative that Healthland continue to make investments to further cement our leadership position and widen the competitive gap in the marketplace."

Burgess said that as small community hospitals prepare to show meaningful use and take advantage of the ARRA incentive funds, Healthland would be well positioned to provide the technology they need.

In addition to its market leadership in small community hospitals, Healthland is experiencing strong momentum in the marketplace, Burgess said. The company is reporting strong sales with record revenues over the past several fiscal quarters, he said, new business contracts are up significantly and win rates have improved dramatically.

Healthcare research firm KLAS recently reported that Healthland scored higher than all other vendors in its 50-bed-and-under hospital market study.