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Nuance Communications has acquired Commissure Inc., a medical imaging software company that provides speech-enabled radiology workflow optimization and data analysis solutions. Nuance can now broaden the capabilities of its Dictaphone solutions for the medical imaging industry, to extend the company’s domain expertise in the radiology market as well as accelerate revenue growth through software as a service offerings.

 

The acquisition will assist Nuance to enhance patient care, speed report turnaround time, reduce costs and improve overall operational efficiency across the radiology industry. Commissure provides Nuance with a suite of robust software solutions that focus on the way diagnostic exams are ordered, interpreted, documented, shared and analyzed.

 

Paul Ricci, chairman and CEO, of Nuance Communications explains that radiology is the largest specialty market that the Dictaphone Healthcare Solutions division serves, and is already saving the industry more than $200 million per year in transcription costs. However, the opportunity to deliver high-value solutions with broader, more customizable features is still significant.

 

Ricci said that Commissure is another accelerant to their strategy to deliver comprehensive speech-driven clinical documentation solutions that meet the needs of healthcare provider organizations. He believes that Commissure’s intellectual property, solutions expertise and established customer relationships will expand their ability to serve the growing radiology market.

 

Nuance points out that the Dictaphone Healthcare Solutions division is making significant investments in speech-driven radiology workflow optimization technology as it offers the best way for its healthcare customers and strategic partners to ensure accurate and timely clinical documentation and communication. In particular, Commissure brings several benefits and capabilities including: innovative solutions for the radiology market; track record of industry success and strong relationships; and experienced medical imaging team.

 

According to Michael Mardini, CEO of Commissure, the medical imaging industry is becoming more focused on responding to the increased requirements related to cost containment, quality assurance and outcomes measurement. He said that Healthcare provider organizations’ priorities are shifting beyond basic imaging exam execution to prioritize advanced workflow optimization, radiologist productivity and data analytics.

 

Mardini added that by combining forces with Dictaphone, they can tap into new capabilities through the Nuance team and resources to expand their market penetration and continue groundbreaking technology advancements.

 

Nuance further explains that a key benefit of the Commissure acquisition is an exclusive technology license agreement with Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). Leveraging a combination of Commissure and MGH technology with PowerScribe, radiology customers across the spectrum will gain significant benefits that will result into improved patient care, reduced costs and increased radiologist productivity.

 

“As a Commissure customer and technology partner, I believe that this joining with Nuance is positive for the industry,” said Dr. James Thrall, Radiologist-in-Chief, Massachusetts General Hospital in a statement.

 

Thrall continued: “ Nuance’s established experience and world-class speech technology, combined with Commissure’s innovation, will provide the radiology industry with solutions that address the critical steps necessary for appropriate ordering, reporting, delivery, and analysis of diagnostic imaging exams.”