NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--HCA (NYSE: HCA), which operates 169 hospitals and 116 freestanding surgery centers in 20 states and the United Kingdom, announced today the signing of an agreement to purchase Mobile Heartbeat, a leading developer of applications for smartphones to improve clinical workflow and team communications. Mobile Heartbeat technology solutions consolidate clinical communications, including alarms and notifications, patient information and lab data, secure texting, voice and photography.

HCA recently completed a successful pilot of Mobile Heartbeat’s CURE™ (Clinical Urgent Response) technology for its iMobile Project, an initiative to implement smartphone-based critical care team communications. Today, HCA is launching Mobile Heartbeat’s CURE technology in 21 hospitals across the country with plans to implement the technology enterprise-wide.

“Mobile Heartbeat is an innovator that is keenly focused on meeting the mobile technology needs of clinicians,” said Dr. Jonathan Perlin, HCA’s chief medical officer and president of the Clinical Services Group. “This acquisition will enhance our ability to work closely with Mobile Heartbeat as we continue to create and refine technology solutions to improve clinical workflows and provide secure communications that foster better patient care.”

Following the completion of the transaction, Mobile Heartbeat’s current chief executive officer Ron Remy will serve as CEO of the organization which will operate as an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of HCA. Mobile Heartbeat’s team will continue to serve the company’s clients and market its products to leading healthcare organizations from the company’s location in Massachusetts.

“We’ve worked closely with HCA for several years to better understand the challenges clinicians face and to enhance our applications to meet their needs,” said Remy. “Joining HCA will help us serve our current and future customers through a closer collaboration with one of the leading healthcare providers in the world. HCA’s leadership will be instrumental as we continue to develop improved solutions for secure clinical communications.”

HCA expects to complete the transaction before the end of the year. Terms of the agreement are not being disclosed.

Founded in 2009, Mobile Heartbeat provides a highly efficient, patient-specific, clinical team collaboration solution. For more information, visit www.mobileheartbeat.com.