Combination Patient Monitor and Defibrillator System Helps Medical Professionals Respond Quickly to Cardiac Emergencies.

Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers

MILWAUKEE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 15, 2001

Medical professionals now have access to a compact defibrillator that attaches easily to a patient monitor, so they can respond immediately to cardiac emergencies, especially when patients are being transported within the hospital.

The defibrillator device, called DASH(R) Responder(R), is available from GE Medical Systems Information Technologies and attaches to any of GE's DASH patient monitors. The complete transport package allows caregivers to respond immediately in the event of a cardiac emergency that requires defibrillation while maintaining advanced vital signs patient monitoring.

According to the American Heart Association, caregivers need to have immediate access to a defibrillator for cardiac patients. If the procedure is not performed within the first 10 minutes of the onset of a sudden cardiac death, very few patients survive. The DASH Responder and monitor can save precious minutes with its easy connectivity and compact transportability. The defibrillating equipment is so easy to use that caregivers can focus on the patient's care and less on the equipment.

"The Responder defibrillator provides clinicians with added assurance when transporting critically ill or high risk patients from one place to another in a hospital," said Kevin King, vice president and general manager of Clinical Systems at GE Medical Systems Information Technologies. "Now caregivers have access to a defib that can be connected to GE's DASH monitors in just seconds, and at less than half the weight of traditional dual, stand-alone systems, so the focus is more on patient care than the systems themselves. It takes patient transport to a whole new level."

The DASH Responder is easy to use and requires minimal training. An AutoSequence function is available for defibrillating adults and this function will automatically sequence the electrical shock level dictated by the American Hospital Association guidelines. The DASH Responder also is available with a noninvasive pacing option, an important feature during the transfer of patients. With the pacing option, caregivers can fix the pace rate or set to demand mode. Demand mode will detect the appropriate pace rate from the detected QRS waveform from the DASH monitor. The complete system will help caregivers respond to patients immediately with its simplified operation and integration with the GE patient monitors.

"It's a natural progression for the monitoring systems," said King. "Health care providers tell us the DASH monitoring systems with `gold standard' software provide accurate, integrated patient information. They asked for the additional defibrillator connectivity, so they could have state-of-the-art technology in one easy-to-transport system. With half of all hospital admissions being in the emergency room, this advanced technology will have a positive impact on patient satisfaction and care."

The DASH monitors provide caregivers with patient vital signs, such as blood pressure and heart rhythms. GE introduced its recent addition to the DASH family of monitors in April, 2001, with its introduction of the DASH 4000 Pro.

With the easy attachment of the DASH Responder to the DASH monitor, caregivers can maintain either hardwire or wireless connectivity to the hospital information network, guaranteeing access to comprehensive, retrievable, and uninterrupted patient data fast, so they can respond to patients confidently and efficiently.

About GE Medical Systems Information Technologies

GE Medical Systems Information Technologies is a global leader in providing solutions for the reliable and efficient acquisition, analysis and management of patient data in healthcare facilities around the world. The company's offerings include cardiology, patient monitoring, image management, clinical information systems and performance management services. Information Technologies is a GE Medical Systems Company with global headquarters in Milwaukee, Wis.

GE Medical Systems is a $8 billion global leader in medical technology and services. Additional information about GE Medical Systems and Information Technologies can be found on the company's Web site at www.gemedicalsystems.com.