Healthcare firm HCA is to acquire developer Mobile Heartbeat, which makes smartphone apps to improve clinical workflow and team communications.

HCA operates 169 hospitals and 116 surgery centres in the US and UK. It 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.

The acquired company’s solutions consolidate clinical communications including notifications, patient information, lab data, secure texting, voice and photography.

Mobile Heartbeat’s team will continue to serve the company’s clients and market its products to healthcare organisations.