In an announcement Monday, Royal Philips Electronics said it had agreed on a deal that will see it acquire Brazilian information systems developer, Wheb Sistemas. The Brazilian firm is one of the foremost firms in the country in the provision of clinical information systems. Royal Philips Electronics reiterated that the Brazilian investment is in line with its plans for expansion, targeting growth of its clinical informatics portfolio.

In its strategy, Royal Philips Electronics is keen on expanding its clinical informatics portfolio through offering solutions that develop its capability to cater for the different and burgeoning demands of the various markets globally, said the firm. The plan is contained in the firm’s healthcare strategy that seeks expansion via the above mode.

The acquisition comes hot in the heels of its previous acquisitions, the takeover of Tesco Informatica, another of Brazil’s foremost radiology information systems (RIS) firms. Other than that, Royal Philips last month appended an agreement that saw it acquire the CDP Medical Ltd’s business.

CDP Medical Ltd is an Israel based provider of Picture Archiving and Communication Systems. Chief executive officer of Philips Healthcare, Steve Rusckowski said the acquisition of the Brazilian firm marks a significant move as the firm moves towards strengthening its global portfolio of clinical informatics and patient care solutions.

Such solutions are geared at simplifying clinician workflow, enhancing financial outcomes for the firm’s clients and saving lives, he said. Further to that, he added that just like the company’s previous acquisitions, the Brazilian firm will enable the firm to additionally reinforce its offering particularly targeted at enhancing its business in high growth markets like Latin America.

Wheb was set up eleven years ago and currently employs some 190 individuals, with installations in over 230 hospitals in Brazil. The Clinical informatics systems integrate information among various hospital departments such as radiology, cardiology amongst others.

The systems serve a progressively more vital role in today’s healthcare environment as the need to streamline workflow and manage costs with efficient care becomes more apparent. Wheb will become part of Philips Healthcare’s Patient Care and Clinical Informatics business.

Royal Philips Electronics is based in the Netherlands and is a diversified health and well-being company. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions. The firm employs more than 116,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide.