Breakthrough technology streamlines organ donation process to save lives; new system places five organs within first weeks of operation; over 40,000 people in the U.S. currently awaiting transplants on average, eight people die daily because organs not available.

FAIRFAX, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 5, 1995--American Management Systems (AMS) today formerly introduced its donor transplant information system which has successfully placed five organs fron one donor within the first few weeks of operation at Virginias' Organ Procurement Agency (VOPA). VOPA is the first field site to use the new Xpedite system, co-developed by AMS and the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). The system has been operational since early May.

The Xpedite system revolutionizes today's lengthy organ transplant process by electronically capturing and rapidly distributing donor information to multiple transplant centers -- ultimately saving lives, through increased placement of usable organs. The system integrates a range of advanced technologies, including Lotus Notes(R) and SkyTel(R) pagers, to streamline transplant processes by accessing a list of potential transplant recipients, contacting transplant centers where patients are located and conveying donor information.

The Problem

Ordinarily, the organ placement process for matching donors and recipients is both complex and time consuming. An organ procurement coordinator at a donor hospital must make a series of individual calls to several transplant centers, then fax detailed donor information to the transplant team. Offers are made according to a priority ranking of potential recipients, forcing coordinators to repeat the process several times if offers are declined. Careful and timely coordination is required to match organ donor and recipient hospitals, and recover, preserve and transport organs. A breakdown in any element of this process may result in the loss of dsperately needed organs and perhaps even patient life.

The Solution

Xpedite compresses the existing process, speeds up time-critical decision making, and improves the quality of data captured. As a result, a single coordinator can place multiple organs simultaneously, frequently reducing the entire process to several hours. By the end of 1996, over 800 transplant programs across the entire nation will use this system to help save lives.

Xpedite has been selected as one of the five finalists for a Computerworld Smithsonian Award, one of the most prestigious awards programs in the information technology industry. Winners will be announced at an awards banquet on June 5th.

UNOS administers the national procurement and transplantation network and U.S. Scientific Registry for Organ Transplantation under contract with the Health Resources and Services Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A membership organization linking all members of the organ procurement, transplantation and histocompatibility communities, the Richmond, VA-based UNOS promotes, facilitates and scientifically advances organ procurement and transplantation while developing an equitable organ allocation system for the nation.

AMS's business is to partner with clients to achieve breakthrough performance through the intelligent use of information technology. AMS is a business and information technology consulting firm that provides a full range of services: business reengineering, change management, systems integration, and system development and implementation. AMS, which recently completed its 25th consecutive year of growth, is headquartered in Fairfax, and has offices in 41 cities through North America and Europe. AMS's revenues for 1994 were $460 million.

Xpedite is a trademark of UNOS

Lotus Notes, Lotus Phone Notes are registered trademarks of Lotus Development Corp.

SkyTel is a registered trademark of SkyTel Corp.

CONTACT: Ketchum Public Relations, New York

Kathleen Kenney, 212/878-4717