GE completes acquisitions

Several companies have taken the final steps to join GE Medical Systems. MedicaLogic, a developer of electronic medical records for outpatient care, has been acquired for $35.25 million in cash. The company's products will enable GE to extend the EMR capabilities of its Centricity IT system. The entire clinical history of the patient will be accessible to clinicians throughout the care process. The company has also acquired ViewPoint, a German-based firm whose products include documentation, image management, and reporting software for diagnostic imaging. ViewPoint technologies are focused heavily on ultrasound. The purchase of ViewPoint represents GE's third acquisition of an ultrasound business in Central Europe. In 2001, GE Medical Systems acquired the German firm EchoTech and the Austrian vendor Kretztechnik. GE also expanded its European distribution capabilities for ultrasound in late March through the acquisition of operations run by Vingmed Svenska AB and Vingmed AS in Sweden and Norway, respectively.