Allscripts-Eclipsys HIT Merger Finalized

The merger of healthcare information technology providers Allscripts-Misys Healthcare Solutions, Inc. and Eclipsys Corp. has been finalized, now officially called Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc.

The merger creates one of the nation's largest exclusively HIT providers, with more than 5,500 employees and combined 2009 pro forma revenues of approximately $1.2 billion. Atlanta-based Eclipsys has 2,800 employees, more than 6,000 healthcare clients, and annual revenues of $515.8 in 2008. The new Allscripts will have a client base of 180,000 physicians, 1,500 hospitals and 10,000 nursing homes, homecare agencies and other post-acute organizations—the largest network in healthcare.

"Our vision is to create a connected community of health to put the right information in the hands of all stakeholders at the right time, empowering them to deliver world-class outcomes, for both their patients and their organizations," said Allscripts CEO Glen Tullman.

"No company has a larger footprint in healthcare, crossing the entire spectrum of provider organizations from hospitals to physicians to nursing homes, home care agencies and other post-acute providers," Tullman said.  

He said the new company can address the lack of connectivity that is plaguing the U.S. healthcare system, which makes it difficult for providers in hospitals, physician offices, nursing homes and other care settings to access and share patient care information.

He cited a Harvard School of Public Health survey published last month that showed that only about 12% of US hospitals had a basic electronic health record in place in 2009, and that physician practices and post-acute settings aren't doing much better.

By connecting physicians, nurses and other healthcare providers to real-time information provided by its own and third-party systems, Tullman said, Allscripts can deliver a single patient record at any time to providers across care settings.