CVS.com and Agilent Technologies Offer Life-Saving Portable Defibrillators to Consumers Through the Internet.Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers WOONSOCKET, R.I. & PALO ALTO Palo Alto, city, California Palo Alto (păl`ō ăl`tō), city (1990 pop. 55,900), Santa Clara co., W Calif.; inc. 1894. Although primarily residential, Palo Alto has aerospace, electronics, and advanced research industries. , Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Oct. 25, 2000 Life-saving technology for sudden cardiac arrest cardiac arrest n. Abbr. CA A sudden cessation of cardiac function, resulting in loss of effective circulation. Cardiac arrest A condition in which the heart stops functioning. and training information now available to consumers with a doctor's prescription through CVS (1) (Concurrent Versions System) A version control system for Unix that was initially developed as a series of shell scripts in the mid-1980s. CVS maintains the changes between one source code version and another and stores all the changes in one file. .com CVS/pharmacy (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange : CVS) and Agilent Technologies This article needs sources or references that appear in reliable, third-party publications. Alone, primary sources and sources affiliated with the subject of this article are not sufficient for an accurate encyclopedia article. Inc. (NYSE: A) today announced a landmark agreement to provide automatic external defibrillators automatic external defibrillator Smart defibrillator Cardiology A device designed to monitor the heart's electric activity and, if ventricular fibrillation is identified, deliver an electric shock. See Defibrillator, Ventricular fibrillation. and training information to consumers with a doctor's prescription through CVS.com (www.cvs.com). These devices, commonly known as AEDs, are small and easy-to-use portable devices that provide immediate treatment for victims of sudden cardiac arrest, one of the leading causes of death in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. . Available direct to consumers for the first time, Agilent's AEDs can be purchased by consumers exclusively at CVS.com by visiting http://sca.cvs.com/ or by calling 1-888-607-4CVS (4287). This arrangement enables easy access to life-saving technology for families with a member who is at-risk for sudden cardiac arrest or for emergency preparedness. Sudden cardiac arrest strikes 350,000 people each year in the United States. It can happen to anyone, anywhere, at anytime without warning. AEDs can provide definitive treatment for sudden cardiac arrest by delivering an electrical current to the heart; however, therapy must be delivered within the first few critical minutes to provide a chance of meaningful survival. The U.S. survival rate from sudden cardiac arrest is less than five percent, largely because life-saving defibrillation Defibrillation Definition Defibrillation is a process in which an electronic device sends an electric shock to the heart to stop an extremely rapid, irregular heartbeat, and restore the normal heart rhythm. does not reach victims in time. AEDs are specifically designed for trained individuals who may often be the first to arrive at the scene of an emergency. Broad deployment of AEDs is predicted to increase the U.S. survival rate from sudden cardiac arrest. Since their introduction in 1996, Agilent Technologies' Heartstream AEDs have been adopted and installed by leading commercial airlines and airports, corporations and small businesses, sports arenas and shopping malls. Many lives have been saved as a result of the growing availability of AEDs and the fast action of trained responders. Under the terms of this agreement, CVS.com is the exclusive consumer online source for Agilent's Heartstream AED AED - Automated Engineering Design kit, which includes training information, a carrying case and accessories. CVS.com also supplies an instructional packet and round-the-clock, toll-free support hotline to maximize consumer peace-of-mind. "CVS.com prides itself in being at the forefront of streamlining the delivery of essential healthcare products and services," said Doug Callihan, president and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of CVS.com. "By bringing Agilent's revolutionary Heartstream AED to the consumer marketplace, we are continuing our focus of empowering our customers to maintain optimum health." As an additional consumer educational resource, Agilent is exclusively sponsoring a "Sudden Cardiac Arrest" Health Source center on CVS.com. The center includes CVS.com-branded "From the Expert" and "From the Pharmacist pharmacist /phar·ma·cist/ (fahr´mah-sist) one who is licensed to prepare and sell or dispense drugs and compounds, and to make up prescriptions. phar·ma·cist n. " articles regarding sudden cardiac arrest, condition-specific content from WebMD, as well as information on the benefits of AED access. As part of CVS.com's Heartstream AED support services support services Psychology Non-health care-related ancillary services–eg, transportation, financial aid, support groups, homemaker services, respite services, and other services , users can view the Heartstream AED demonstration module and visit the "Heartstream AED Destination Page" to learn about Agilent's AED products. "Agilent's agreement with CVS.com is a testament to our long-standing commitment in leading the fight against sudden cardiac arrest," said Deborah DiSanzo, general manager of Agilent's Cardiology cardiology Medical specialty dealing with heart diseases and disorders. It began with the 1749 publication by Jean Baptiste de Sénac of contemporary knowledge of the heart. Diagnostic methods improved in the 19th century, and in 1905 the electrocardiograph was invented. Resuscitation resuscitation /re·sus·ci·ta·tion/ (-sus?i-ta´shun) restoration to life of one apparently dead. cardiopulmonary resuscitation Solutions Division. "Easy access to the Heartstream AED will significantly reduce the burden felt by families with members who are at-risk for sudden cardiac arrest, and may ultimately save lives." About Agilent's Healthcare Solutions Group Agilent's Healthcare Solutions Group is a worldwide leader in clinical measurement and diagnostic solutions for the healthcare industry. The group has 4,800 employees and had revenues of more than $1.5 billion in its 1999 fiscal year. Agilent holds leading market share worldwide in patient monitoring, cardiovascular ultrasound imaging, critical-care information-management systems, and automatic external defibrillators (AEDs). Information about Agilent's Healthcare Solutions Group can be found on the Web at www.agilent.com/healthcare/. About Agilent Technologies Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is a diversified technology company with approximately 46,000 employees serving customers in more than 120 countries. Agilent is a global leader in designing and manufacturing test, measurement and monitoring instruments, systems and solutions, and semiconductor and optical components. In fiscal year 1999, Agilent had net revenue of more than $8.3 billion. The company serves markets that include communications, electronics, life sciences and healthcare. Information about Agilent Technologies can be found on the Web at www.agilent.com. About CVS Corporation CVS/pharmacy is the nation's largest retail provider of prescriptions. The Company is the #1 drugstore chain in the U.S. with approximately 4,100 stores in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast and Midwest regions of the country. General information about CVS, including corporate background and press releases, is available at CVS' web site at http://www.cvs.com. About CVS.com CVS.com, the nation's first complete Internet pharmacy internet pharmacy Online A website that offers prescription drugs from the comfort of home Cons The IP or prescribing physician may not be qualified or licensed to prescribe drugs in all states. See Operation Cure-All, VIPPS. , provides 24-hour-a-day access to registered pharmacists via the Internet or toll-free telephone number A toll-free, Freecall, Freephone, or 800 number is a special telephone number, in that the called party is charged the cost of the calls by the telephone carrier, instead of the calling party. . CVS.com also offers standard or next-day delivery of quality prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, and health and beauty products. CVS.com is an online destination for health-related purchases and information on health conditions and issues authored by leading medical authorities. CVS.com provides customers the best-of-both-worlds convenience of online and offline pharmacy shopping. (The Agilent AED will be available exclusively via online purchase.) CVS.com accepts thousands of third-party plans and offers thousands of over-the-counter items at highly competitive prices, online or telephone ordering, in-store pick-up or home delivery of prescriptions, and direct toll-free access to CVS.com pharmacists at (888) 607-4CVS (4287). A CVS.com online media kit is available at http://www.businesswire.com/cnn/cvs.shtml. |
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