Axolotl Begins Implementing Phase Two of Clinical Messaging System at Bethesda Healthcare System.

Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers

TAMPA, Fla.--(BW HealthWire)--Dec. 18, 2000

Remaining 310 Affiliated Physicians Will Begin Using the

Internet to Access Clinical Results

Axolotl Corporation, a leading provider of e-Health communication solutions, today announced the successful completion of the first phase of installation of the Elysium Clinical Messaging system at Bethesda Healthcare System, a not-for-profit healthcare organization serving the medical needs of South Palm Beach County in Florida. To date, 210 physicians have replaced their old DOS-based system with Elysium in order to access, process, and manage clinical data and to collaborate with other providers in their community. Installation of phase one was accomplished in approximately 70 days--almost three weeks less than the original estimate of 90 days; implementation of phase two is expected to be even smoother than the first.

"We're tremendously pleased with the results of the Elysium system. The ease of installation and use has exceeded our expectations and we are encouraged by the enthusiastic responses from our physicians and their staffs," commented Robert B. Hill, Chief Executive Officer of Bethesda Healthcare System. "In addition to saving time and cutting costs, we expect the new clinical messaging system will help strengthen our relationship with our affiliated healthcare providers."

Early user feedback on the initial benefits has been extremely positive. One full time employee reports that she is saving more than two hours per day that used to be spent printing, sorting, and filing data for eight physicians. With the Elysium auto trace feature, results are organized up front so data is pulled and printed by patient, by physician; reports are ready for distribution as they come off the printer.

"Elysium uniquely harnesses Internet technologies to provide Bethesda Healthcare System with a quick and cost-effective system that enhances patient care and improves communication," stated Raymond Scott, Axolotl's Chief Technology Officer. "Axolotl will continue working closely with Bethesda to ensure the efficient completion of phase two so that their entire health delivery network can realize the benefits of clinical automation and better serve their patient population."

About Bethesda Healthcare System

Founded in 1959, Bethesda Healthcare System is a not-for-profit healthcare organization serving the medical needs of South Palm Beach County. Its flagship, Bethesda Memorial Hospital, a 362-bed hospital, was named one of the nation's 100 Top Regional Hospitals by HCIA in 1999. Bethesda Health City, Bethesda Home Care Network, Bethesda Medical Associates and other Bethesda affiliates are all part of the Bethesda Healthcare System, which includes a state-of-the-art comprehensive cancer care center, a stroke center, a maternity center, a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, a wound care-hyperbaric medicine program, a diabetes resource center, an integrative medicine center, a women's center, and a vascular institute.

About Axolotl

Axolotl Corporation uses advanced communications technology to connect physicians to the entire healthcare continuum. The company provides physicians and their staffs with integrated clinical and administrative applications and patient education programs to streamline workflow, increase efficiency, and improve the quality of care. Thousands of healthcare professionals nationwide use the Elysium suite of integrated Web-based applications to manage clinical and administrative tasks through standard Web browsers, reducing costs and increasing the time available for treating patients. Through a strategic agreement with Gilat, Axolotl has the exclusive right to distribute its two-way broadband satellite in the healthcare market, providing high-speed, always-on Internet access to physician practices everywhere in the USA. Additional services include Web site customization and private doctor-patient communication through a private patient portal. Axolotl's AccentHealth Waiting Room Television Network, produced in conjunction with CNN, and consumer Web site www.accenthealth.com deliver award-winning patient education material to more than 17 million visitors each month. These programs enhance the physician/patient relationship and further empower patients to participate in managing their own health. For more information, visit www.axolotl.com.

Statements in this press release concerning the Company's business outlook or future economic performance, anticipated profitability, revenues, expenses or other financial items, and service offering growth, together with other statements that are not historical facts, are "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined under the Federal Securities Laws. Any forward-looking statements are estimates, reflecting the best judgment of the party making such statements based upon currently available information and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated in such statements.