MINNEAPOLIS -- Healthcare providers will have access to a new continuum of technology management solutions across the “big three” health providers in a community -- clinic, hospital and post-acute care facilities -- with Healthland’s acquisition of American HealthTech (AHT).

Healthland, the nation’s market leader in healthcare information technology solutions for rural hospitals and their affiliated care facilities, has acquired American HealthTech, provider of integrated software and electronic health records (EHR) solutions for post-acute facilities. While each company will continue to operate under its own brand, serving its traditional markets, they have already begun the process of linking resources to expand offerings to customers.

Healthland President and CEO Angie Franks said, “Because this is a transaction of two willing partners with complementary product sets and common values, we view it as a win for healthcare providers, and therefore a win for their communities. To thrive and deliver integrated care to an entire community in an efficient, cost-effective manner, a clinic, hospital or skilled nursing facility needs a coordinated solution with complete EHR capabilities. Our combined organizations will deliver that solution.”

Officials of both companies pointed out that the need for this full continuum of solutions is intensifying as healthcare reform unfolds.

Franks said, “With changes to our nation’s healthcare delivery system well underway, Healthland and AHT will be focused on helping clients thrive within this new system. Many providers need solutions and tools to make the transition from a fee-for-service system to a population management model. We will provide a critical element of that transformation -- a shared health record that follows the patient across the entire care continuum, including preventive, outpatient, inpatient, post-acute and in-home care.”

According to AHT President Teresa Chase, “About one in five post-acute facilities across 47 states rely on AHT daily. As we saw changes unfolding in national healthcare reform, it became clear that we needed to respond to our customers’ requests for a continuum of solutions by partnering with a company which could expand our reach to include clinics, hospitals and home care with a comprehensive, integrated information management solution. Healthland and AHT are a well-aligned answer to this need.”

Chase said AHT will continue its focus on its current base of post-acute customers. “We are dedicated to the skilled care industry, including clinical, resident accounting, financial, and enterprise software solutions, and that won’t change. By combining with Healthland, we can advance our services into an integrated, community-wide approach to care,” Chase said.

Franks said, “Our shared vision with American HealthTech is a complete EHR solution that will enable hospitals to reduce readmissions and leverage the shared patient record to capture and use the data to improve patient outcomes.”

“Because the customers of both Healthland and AHT are responsible for the healthcare needs of entire communities, together we have a responsibility to provide the information technology tools to help them succeed for the long term,” Franks said.

About Healthland
Headquartered in Minneapolis, Healthland is America’s largest provider of fully integrated solutions to rural community and critical access hospitals, serving nearly 500 clients across the country. Software and services from Healthland, including its electronic health record (EHR) solution, enable community hospitals to deliver the best possible healthcare by providing a central repository of patient information in all care settings. Its advanced Centriq solution now offers a single-database system across all care functions. www.healthland.com

About American HealthTech
Headquartered in Jackson, MS, American HealthTech is a premier provider of integrated solutions to the post-acute care industry to help them drive data-driven clinical and financial outcomes. Its solutions delivered to clients include software, professional services and interoperability connections. Coast to coast, a fifth of the nation’s providers depend on AHT daily for innovations that free hands to care for others. www.healthtech.net