3M to expand medical software portfolio

3M has announced it will expand its medical software division by acquiring Software und Beratung im Gesunheitswesen (SMB), described as a Berlin-based developer of diagnosis related groups (DRG) software for hospitals, later this June.

The company intends to develop SMB’s products for its international health information systems division. SMB’s products are in use in more than 1,000 German hospitals and include systems which manage medical documentation, coding, management and DRG determination. 3M says it will continue to use the SMB name with 3M acting as its parent company.

Dr Thilo Kopfer, head of the 3M health information systems in Neuss, said: “The product portfolio of SBG ideally complements our current spectrum of products.”

He added: “We will be strengthening our core business in the DRG software area, and we will now be able to provide a complete package of products and services covering any aspects of coding, grouping and quality assurance.”

Last month 3M reported that sales in its healthcare division increased by 4.9 per cent, bringing net sales to $966 million (526 million pounds). George W. Buckley, 3M chairman, president and chief executive officer, said the company experienced record quarterly earnings and added: “We are off to a very strong start in 2006 which gives me great confidence in the ability of our teams around the world to drive accelerated growth and achieve superior financial results.”

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