HCA to acquire tech developer Mobile Heartbeat
Hospital system Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) is acquiring Mobile Heartbeat, a developer of smartphone applications to improve clinical workflow and team communications.
The transaction should be completed before the end of the year, HCA said in a statement. The terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.
Mobile Heartbeat, which was founded in 2009, uses technology to consolidate communications like patient information and lab data. HCA operates 169 hospitals and 116 freestanding surgery centers in 20 U.S. states and the U.K.
“Mobile Heartbeat is an innovator that is keenly focused on meeting the mobile technology needs of clinicians,” said Jonathan Perlin, MD, HCA’s CMO and president of the Clinical Services Group, in a statement. “This acquisition will enhance our ability to work closely with Mobile Heartbeat as we continue to create and refine technology solutions to improve clinical workflows and provide secure communications that foster better patient care.”
Prior to the acquisition, HCA completed a pilot of Mobile Heartbeat’s CURE (Clinical Urgent Response), an initiative part of its iMobile Project. Last week, HCA launched the technology in 21 hospitals across the country and has plans to incorporate it into more.
After the acquisition is complete, much of Mobile Heartbeat’s staff will remain the same even though it will begin operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of HCA. Ron Remy will continue to serve as Mobile Heartbeat’s CEO and other employees will continue to work in their current positions.
“We’ve worked closely with HCA for several years to better understand the challenges clinicians face and to enhance our applications to meet their needs,” Remy said in a statement. “Joining HCA will help us serve our current and future customers through a closer collaboration with one of the leading healthcare providers in the world. HCA’s leadership will be instrumental as we continue to develop improved solutions for secure clinical communications.”
Senior Writer
As a Senior Writer for TriMed Media Group, Katherine primarily focuses on producing news stories, Q&As and features for Cardiovascular Business. She reports on several facets of the cardiology industry, including emerging technology, new clinical trials and findings, and quality initiatives among providers. She is based out of TriMed's Chicago office and holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Columbia College Chicago. Her work has appeared in Modern Healthcare, Crain's Chicago Business and The Detroit News. She joined TriMed in 2016.