Microsoft will retain the HealthVault suite of software for health care consumers. But Microsoft's Amalga data aggregation and analytics software, as well as its single-sign-on and context management software acquired several years ago when it bought Sentillion, move to the joint venture.
Amalga enables providers to combine data from disparate information systems across facilities to better understand the needs of specific patient populations, develop appropriate care plans, track progress and report on outcomes. The content management software enables the viewing from patient data from multiple disparate systems on a single screen.
GE Healthcare will contribute its health information exchange software, called eHealth, and its Qualibria bedside advanced clinical decision support software being developed with Intermountain Healthcare in Utah and Mayo Clinic, with production-level status expected in the first half of 2012.
Qualibria will move to the Amalga platform, says Brandon Savage, M.D., chief medical officer at GE Healthcare Information Technologies. Qualibria focuses on improving the quality of data and making decision support part of clinicians' workflow via clinical dashboards.
The companies have not yet named the joint venture, to be staffed with GE and Microsoft employees and based near Microsoft's headquarters in Redmond, Wash. Peter Neupert, who leads Microsoft's Health Solutions Group as a corporate vice president, will retire after January and consult for the joint venture.
Michael Simpson, currently vice president and general manager at GE Healthcare Information Technologies, will leave the post and become CEO of the joint venture, expected to launch during the first half of 2012.
