Royal Philips has acquired an emergency department consulting provider to expand its business in the U.S.
The Amsterdam-based technology giant and medical equipment manufacturer will buy Orlando-based Blue Jay Consulting. Philips would not disclose the financial details of the transaction, which is due to close in the fourth quarter, pending customary closing conditions.
This acquisition builds upon a $500 million deal Philips struck in June to provide the Valhalla, N.Y.-based Westchester Medical Center Health Network with clinical and business consulting services, as well as imaging services, patient monitoring, telehealth and clinical informatics solutions.
The company has entered into long-term “partnership” agreements with health systems for several years, including a 15-year deal with Georgia Regents Medical Center in Augusta and a home-health monitoring pilot with Phoenix-based Banner Health.
Jeroen Tas, Philips' CEO of Healthcare Informatics, Solutions and Services, said in a statement that the company is increasingly asked by customers to help with inefficiencies and patient engagement, in addition to their technology offerings.
“With the acquisition of Blue Jay Consulting, Philips is further executing on its strategy to strengthen its capabilities to enhance the operational and financial performance of hospitals and health systems, while enhancing outcomes for both hospitals and patients alike,” Tas said.
Philips announced Monday that it had appointed its first chief medical officer at the parent company level. Dr. Jan Kimpen is expected to guide the company's increasing focus on healthcare technology.
Philips reported about $3.2 billion in healthcare sales in the second quarter, up 8% from the same time the year before, with double-digit growth in imaging systems and modest growth in patient care and monitoring solutions, according to its quarterly report. Healthcare profits were about $247 million, up about 17.8% from the same period year before.
