Medsphere Systems and Phoenix Health Systems announced the merger of the two companies, adding Phoenix’s IT expertise to Medsphere’s existing focus on VA VistA and VistA-derived systems. Under the deal, Phoenix Health Systems will retain its name and operate as a division of Medsphere; the expanded company will offer a broader menu of IT services, including hosting and cloud-based interoperability, IT service desk support and project management around many EHR solutions, including enterprise OpenVista.
The two companies will ensure end-to-end support and interoperability for hospitals facing a wide variety of IT challenges.Derived from the proven VistA system developed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, OpenVista is a comprehensive EHR that combines both clinical and financial applications. Medsphere has enhanced VistA to meet the particular functional needs of federal, non-federal and international hospitals and the mobility requirements of modern physicians. On the other hand, Phoenix provides an expansive service set that encompasses systems implementation, compliance project management (i.e. Meaningful Use and ICD-10), service desk, end-user device management, infrastructure support, application management and IT leadership. Together, the two companies will ensure end-to-end support and interoperability for hospitals facing a wide variety of IT challenges.
“Our focus on hospitals with financial constraints and limited internal health IT support clearly suggests a need to grow into a one-stop shop for all health IT services,” said Medsphere President and CEO Irv Lichtenwald. “It makes good business sense for Medsphere and Phoenix, and it creates a single source of systems and support for our clients.”
The breadth of services now available under the Medsphere banner will give hospitals cost-cutting options such as remote or cloud-based EHR access, an outsourced help desk, additional training and other system efficiencies. It will also create more resources devoted to complete interoperability between OpenVista or another EHR and all third-party applications.