Spheris To Acquire Vianeta Communications

FRANKLIN, Tenn., Dec. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Spheris, the leading global provider of medical transcription technology and services, today announced the execution of a definitive agreement to purchase Vianeta Communications, a leading developer and supplier of enterprise-wide clinical documentation software for group practices, hospitals and health systems.

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“Spheris is committed to providing the most effective blend of people and technology to enhance our customers’ abilities to provide quality patient care,” said Steven E. Simpson, Spheris president and chief executive officer. “The Vianeta acquisition will enable us to enhance our existing infrastructure to better accommodate healthcare providers who are looking for more choice in selecting their medical documentation solutions. The flexibility to offer both licensed-based and subscription-based technology solutions will allow us to serve a segment of the healthcare market we previously were unable to accommodate.”

Integrating Vianeta’s open and scalable XML-based software into Spheris’ existing medical transcription technology will also accelerate a host of other initiatives Spheris is currently executing and further developing for both its technology and service capabilities.

“Speaking on behalf of the entire Vianeta team, we are pleased to be joining such an industry force,” said Vianeta Chief Executive Officer Ralph Aceves. “We are looking forward to becoming part of the Spheris mission to lead the medical documentation industry through superior services and best-in- class technology.”

Following completion of the transaction, Spheris will continue to service and enhance the Vianeta solutions currently deployed in the marketplace.

The transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to close in the first quarter of 2006. Financial terms of the parties’ agreement were not disclosed.

About Spheris

Spheris is the leading global outsource provider of medical transcription technology and services to more than 450 health systems, hospitals and group practices throughout the U.S. and Canada. More than 5,500 professional Spheris medical transcriptionists support the company’s clients through secure networks, using a Web-based system with integrated voice, text and data. Customer service is provided 24 hours a day, 365 days a year with an emphasis on verifiable quality, turnaround time and pricing. Spheris is headquartered in Franklin, Tenn., with major operations in St. Petersburg, Fla.; Sterling, Va.; Bangalore, India; and Coimbatore, India. For more information, please visit www.spheris.com.

About Vianeta

Headquartered in northern California, Vianeta Communications provides XML- based software solutions for health information management that help healthcare organizations of all kinds automate HIM processes. Hundreds of hospitals and clinics, 60,000 physicians and 4,000 HIM staff members throughout North America use Vianeta to build solid foundations for true electronic medical records through effectively managing patient health information. To learn more about Vianeta, please visit www.vianeta.com.

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CONTACT: Michele Peden, Communications Specialist of Spheris,+1-615-261-1580, or mpeden@spheris.com