HealthStream (NASDAQ:
HSTM), a leading provider of workforce and provider solutions for the healthcare industry, today announced that it has acquired Providigm LLC, a Denver-based company focused on quality assurance and performance improvement in healthcare, primarily serving skilled nursing facilities. HealthStream adds to its workforce development solutions with a comprehensive quality management system created by Providigm, known as “abaqis®,” which is the leading SaaS-based quality-improvement program adopted by U.S. skilled nursing facilities.
HealthStream’s commitment to improving the quality of healthcare through the development of the healthcare workforce extends throughout the continuum of care, including the 15,600+ skilled nursing facilities in the U.S. and the 1.66 million employees working in them. New federal requirements by CMS are driving the need for innovative solutions to better manage quality and performance improvement in skilled nursing facilities. HealthStream’s
acquisition of Providigm expands its marketplace of powerful solutions for the healthcare workforce in this important segment of the care continuum. With substantial overlap among acute care and skilled nursing facilities’ workforce competency requirements, the acquisition of Providigm and its SaaS-based products provides a particularly relevant and timely extension of HealthStream’s market-leading workforce solutions.
In 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published revised Requirements of Participation (RoP) in Medicare and Medicaid for skilled nursing facilities, which introduced a “competency-based staffing approach.” Requirements for clinical staff assessments, demonstration of competencies, and competency-based education (among other requirements) were spread across three phases set to go into effect in November 2016, November 2017, and November 2019, respectively. The third phase requires all skilled nursing facilities to have programs in place to assess competencies, provide competency-based education, and document their effectiveness. If flagged for substandard compliance, admissions can be frozen and financial penalties levied. To date, over 2,000 skilled nursing facilities are already using Providigm’s abaqis® to achieve better outcomes and compliance with RoP.
Dr. Andrew Kramer, co-founder and chief executive officer of Providigm, has led a transformation in measuring and improving quality of care for frail elders at the bedside. His groundbreaking research at the University of Colorado, followed by Senate and House testimony, led CMS to adopt more reliable and comprehensive approaches to overseeing post-acute and long-term care.
“Helping eldercare providers deliver improved quality of care has been my passion for decades,” said Dr. Andrew Kramer, CEO, Providigm. “The link between delivering quality care and the competency development / training of those eldercare providers is unequivocal. That’s why I believe HealthStream’s acquisition of Providigm is particularly opportune—as they have the resources, knowledge, and technology to advance our solutions to the next level, helping providers achieve the best outcomes.”
Providigm’s operations will continue in its Denver office, along with the continued contributions of their approximately 45 employees. Clients of Providigm will continue to experience continuity of services and the same outstanding customer service they have grown to appreciate over the years from Providigm.
“I would like to extend a warm welcome to Providigm’s clients and employees that will be joining HealthStream,” said Robert A. Frist, Jr., chief executive officer, HealthStream. “We are excited to expand our workforce solutions to further support the continuum of care, particularly among the nation’s skilled nursing facilities. Providigm is a terrific company doing important work that is strongly aligned with our long-standing vision to improve the quality of healthcare by developing the people that deliver care.”
Terms of the Transaction: HealthStream purchased the outstanding equity of Providigm for approximately $18 million in cash, subject to a post-closing working capital adjustment. In addition, up to an additional $500,000 in cash may be paid following the closing based on the performance of Providigm during an 18-month period following closing.
