Merge eFilm Releases FUSION RIS Version 2.5

MILWAUKEE, June 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Merge eFilm , a leading global healthcare software and services company, today announced the release of FUSION RIS (RIS Logic Module) Version 2.5, which includes integration with FUSION PACS, facilitating RIS, PACS, Dictation, Reporting, Document Management and Billing workflow to run from a single, unified end- user desktop application. The new release creates significant productivity improvements for the radiologist and technologist, and eliminates the typical complexity, time and cost experienced in deploying multiple vendor systems requiring complex interfaces. Also new in FUSION RIS 2.5 is an optional Document Management module embedded into the RIS/PACS workflow, as well as more than 140 customer-driven feature enhancements.

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"Our customers can experience enhanced business and clinical operations by partnering with Merge eFilm -- a healthcare software solutions provider with the resources to develop, integrate, install and support the entire spectrum of RIS/PACS radiology workflow tools," said Richard Linden, president and CEO of Merge eFilm. "The convenience and value of a single, integrated RIS/PACS workflow solution, backed by our 17 years of radiology connectivity experience and proven implementation processes, ensures our customers will achieve a higher level of accelerated productivity," added Linden.

Since the acquisition of RIS Logic in July of 2003, Merge eFilm has focused on creating software solutions designed to integrate and distribute business and clinical workflow. "The transition between RIS to PACS and PACS to RIS is a smooth and fast experience for the user, and images and information remain consistent," said Tim Kulbago, Vice-President, Product Innovation. "By utilizing the flexibility and combination of image streaming, PACS and RIS-driven DICOM routing processes to distribute images, the system is able to get the right study with associated patient information to the right radiologist at the right location in less time while efficiently optimizing bandwidth and image storage."

The focus on distributed workflow is driven by key customer challenges related to staffing shortages and the need to route studies to wherever the appropriate radiologist or specialist is located. The demands of multi-site environments, as well as the increasing size of images per study, require a more efficient image and information distribution method. "The flexibility in image distribution methodologies will accommodate the numerous workflow situations that occur in our multi-site organization, alleviating the radiologists' need to be at a particular location," said Tim Chavez, Executive Director, West Coast Radiology Center, Santa Ana, CA. "Additionally, this product release allows us to complete the key integrated lanes of RIS/PACS workflow needed to build our radiology information superhighway."

The optional Document Management module was driven by customer demand for a paperless environment. Fully embedded within RIS/PACS workflow, rather than an interface to a separate document system, means customers only use one login and one desktop to scan, view, import, export, edit, customize and store paper documents, such as prescriptions, scanning forms or patient and insurance identification, within the patient record. "Embedding the Document Management capability within the RIS will offer a fast and easy alternative to the resource drain of dealing with paper documents," said Larry Ranahan, CEO, Meridian Regional Imaging, Mundelein, IL. "As an all digital practice with radiologists located throughout northeastern Illinois, we anticipate major positive effects on the productivity of our radiologists, technical staff, and office staff by keeping documents in the electronic record. The tangible economic savings will have a positive material impact on our profitability."

The 140 customer-driven feature enhancements in FUSION RIS are the result of Merge eFilm's product innovation team working closely with customers to pinpoint ways in which functionality can be added or enhanced to optimize workflow based on their needs. Feedback is acquired through Merge eFilm's Annual User Meeting, customer site visits, customer surveys and the typical ongoing communication exchange between Merge eFilm staff and its customers.

The FUSION line of workflow solutions includes FUSION RIS, FUSION PACS and FUSION RIS/PACS. Both stand alone RIS and PACS products are proven, deployed solutions with 148 customers, and will continue to be sold separately and connected to other customer image and information management solutions via integration standards. The solutions can be deployed in a phased approach to easily add new functionality as needed without operational interruptions.

About Merge eFilm

Merge eFilm is a global healthcare software and services company focused on accelerating the productivity of imaging centers, hospitals and clinics with a suite of RIS/PACS software solutions and professional services. For over seventeen years, Merge eFilm has been a leader in integration of radiology workflow to improve productivity, profitability and patient care by fusing business and clinical workflow, and intelligently managing and distributing diagnostic images and information throughout the healthcare enterprise. For additional information, visit our web site at http://www.merge-efilm.com/ .

Except for the historical information herein, the matters discussed in this news release include forward-looking statements that may involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may vary significantly based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, risks in product and technology development, market acceptance of new products and continuing product demand, the impact of competitive products and pricing, changing economic conditions and other risk factors detailed in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

CONTACT: Beth Frost-Johnson, VP-Marketing, or Richard Linden, President& CEO, both of Merge eFilm, +1-414-977-4000

Web site: http://www.merge-efilm.com/