Imaging Advantage acquires BRIT Systems
In the latest marriage of technology vendor and clinical radiology services, the Santa Monica, CA-based radiology services provider, Imaging Advantage, has acquired PACS provider BRIT Systems, Dallas, TX.
In addition to providing development synergies and cross-selling opportunities for both parties, the acquisition underscores the need for greater IT capabilities in the face of growing regulatory burden of practicing medicine in the U.S.
“[Imaging Advantage’s] team will collaborate with BRIT to develop, test and implement cost effective solutions to meet new regulatory requirements while increasing departmental efficiencies and better serving physicians and patients,” Shelly Fisher, BRIT’s president said in a prepared release. “Our work with IA will benefit all of BRIT’s customers as our products are honed with IA’s expertise.”
One of those regulatory requirements comes due in 2017 when physicians will be required to consult clinical decision support (CDS) prior to ordering advanced imaging. In a communication posted on the PACS provider’s web site, BRIT specified several reasons for the acquisition, including access to IA’s RadAdvisor, a CDS tool for radiology developed with CMS funding. “BRIT believes we can substantially contribute to that tool, too,” the communication read.
Access to funding, marketing and development expertise and radiologist expertise were also specified in that communication. The statement said that little will change in how BRIT operates as a business, which will be “distinct from IS’s services business.”
Brian Hall, president, Imaging Advantage, said in a press release: “We welcome BRIT Systems to our family. The technological capabilities and know-how they bring to us will position us to continue to grow and provide the highest level of patient care in the market.”
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Vice President, Executive Editor, Radiology Business
Cheryl began her career in journalism when Wite-Out was a relatively new technology. During the past 16 years, she has covered radiology and followed developments in healthcare policy. She holds a BA in History from the University of Delaware and likes nothing better than a good story, well told.