History

As an organization, Spheris has provided clinical documentation and medical transcription technology and outsource services since 1993.

The Spheris name was introduced in October 2003 after the June merger of two leading transcription companies — Total eMed and EDiX. In December 2004, Spheris acquired HealthScribe, Inc., then the third largest outsource transcription provider. This growth expanded the company's capabilities to deliver high-quality, cost-efficient clinical documentation technology and services.

In November 2004, Spheris completed a recapitalization transaction in which Warburg Pincus LLC and TowerBrook Capital Partners, two leading private equity investors, acquired ownership of the company from Parthenon Capital.

In March 2006, Spheris acquired Vianeta Communications, a leading developer and supplier of enterprise-wide clinical documentation technology for hospitals, health systems and group practices. In October 2006, Spheris introduced Clarity™, an integrated suite of advanced clinical documentation technology with embedded speech recognition.

Spheris has more than 6,000 direct employees, including more than 5,500 professional medical language specialists. Spheris is headquartered in Franklin, TN, with operations centers in the U.S. and internationally.

Spheris milestones

2007
  • Spheris ranks 22 on the 2007 list of largest healthcare technology companies in the U.S. according to Healthcare Informatics magazine. Spheris also was recognized in the Healthcare Informatics' "Headliners" section. According to the magazine: "the 2007 Headliners represent some of the most outstanding leaders in the field, companies that don't just do what their clients tell them, but suggest to their clients what to do.
  • Spheris is accepted into the Medical Users Software Exchange (MUSE) becoming the first major medical transcription organization to be a MUSE Commercial Member.
  • Spheris joins with top industry providers to create Clinical Documentation Architecture for Common Document Types, (CDA4CDT), universal guidelines and templates that help ensure interoperability of Health Information Management (HIM) systems and effective data exchange between healthcare providers.
  • Spheris unveils seven distinct modules of the Clarity technology platform at the Health Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS) tradeshow. Based on the strong demand for this platform, Spheris accelerated implementation schedules with dozens of clients across the U.S.
2006
  • Spheris introduces Clarity™, an integrated suite of advanced clinical documentation technology with embedded speech recognition that drives efficiencies while lowering costs.
  • Spheris ranks 19th overall and 9th in revenue growth in Healthcare Informatics magazine's Annual 100 Healthcare IT Companies.
  • The Medical Records Institute awarded Spheris with "First Honors" in the medical transcription category at the 22nd Annual TEPR Convention.
  • Spheris finalizes acquisition of Vianeta Communications.
2005
  • Spheris announces plan to acquire Vianeta Communications.
  • Inc. magazine ranks Spheris as the 16th overall fastest-growing company in its annual Inc. 500 listing of "America's 500 Fastest-Growing Private Companies."
  • Spheris expands its global operations by opening a facility in Coimbatore, India.
  • Spheris ranks 28th overall and 7th in revenue growth in Healthcare Informatics magazine's Annual 100 Healthcare IT Companies.
2004
  • Spheris acquires HealthScribe.
  • Spheris completes recapitalization through Warburg Pincus LLC and TowerBrook Capital Partners (formerly Soros Private Equity Partners LLC.)
  • Spheris ranks 35th overall and 1st in revenue growth in Healthcare Informatics magazine's annual "Top 100 Healthcare Information Technology Companies."
2003
  • Company rebranded as Spheris.
  • Total eMed acquires EDiX, a wholly owned subsidiary of IDX Systems Inc. in a transaction funded through Parthenon Capital.
1998
  • Total eMed is founded as first national transcription company to utilize full Web-enabled technology.
1993
  • EDiX is founded as the first integrated, nationwide network for the collection and distribution of clinical dictation and transcription.
  • HealthScribe is founded with a business model to provide both domestic and global Medical Transcription services.