Healthcare systems provider Merge on Monday introduced a trio of new applications designed to boost medical professionals' ability to manage patient information and other clinical data electronically.

Merge's Frontiers 4.3 application is an AIMS/PCIMS (anesthesia information management solution/perioperative care information management solution) system that provides a forms-based interface and a Multi-Location Pre-Op module that lets nurses and other practitioners switch between cases in just seconds, according to Merge.

It also features new roaming station capabilities that let clinicians log in and complete patient records from any location covered by their hospital's IT network.

Merge also introduced Frontiers Sidecar, a small-footprint, appliance-style device that documents procedures in the main Frontiers chart. Procedure specific buttons allow doctors to input data with one hand, "without having to take their focus off the patient," Merge said.

Finally, Merge's Frontiers Patient Portal is designed to simplify pre-surgical testing by allowing patients to complete questionnaires and other required forms from the privacy of their own homes prior to surgery. Merge said the feature would help reduce the number of surgical cancellations by maximizing patient comfort and privacy.

"From their computer or mobile device, patients can privately complete a health survey designed to elicit the utmost in accuracy and thoroughness of a patient's health, and provide pre-surgical clinicians with important information for determining the risk level of each surgical candidate," Merge said.

President Obama has said he wants all Americans' healthcare information digitized within five-years, a push that's expected to boost the fortunes of healthcare IT providers such as Merge and others. Merge is expected to report third quarter earnings on Oct. 29.

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