
A group of Cincinnati gastroenterologists have been joined by several business and technology partners to launch a health IT company that develops intraoperative voice-command software to document surgical procedures.
The company, eMerge Health Solutions, received $650,000 in investment commitments, including $250,000 from state-supported venture development group CincyTech.
eMerge is aiming to up that initial investment amount to $850,000, and the company plans to use the cash for operating capital and to further product development, according to a statement from CincyTech.

eMerge says its software will help doctors become more efficient and reduce documentation errors.
The company’s initial target market for its voice-command documentation software is self-contained gastroenterology units within ambulatory surgical centers and hospitals. eMerge estimates that target market to be valued at $250 million to $300 million, according to the statement.
eMerge has installed its system in four locations — three ambulatory surgery centers and Cincinnati’s Jewish Hospital.
Last month, the company hired a CEO, Alex Vidas, who has a background in software engineering and previously worked with imaging firm Pentax Medical, according to the statement.
“We will be offering a first-of-its-kind-product, the ability to document during a procedure using voice command and control,” Vidas said. “This allows the clinician to gain productivity benefits without taking focus away from the patient’s care.”
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