Draeger Medical Receives FDA Clearance For SmartCare(TM) Knowledge-based Weaning System For EvitaXL Ventilator; New System Reduces Patient Time on ICU Ventilation and Infection Potential While Improving Workflow Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness.

TELFORD, Pa. & LUEBECK, Germany -- Draeger Medical, today announced its SmartCare(TM)/PS option for the EvitaXL ventilator has received 510(k) market clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is available for sales in the U.S. SmartCare is a knowledge-based ventilation system developed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the weaning process. SmartCare can reduce patient intensive care days as well as ventilator days by integrating protocolized care into ventilation weaning.

SmartCare automates the weaning process, based on the user's input, using continuously measured parameters and patient respiratory profiles. As the level of ventilator support is adjusted automatically, the patient's response and ability to adapt to each change in support is evaluated.

Traditional methods of weaning vary greatly, do not always progress with the patient's ability to wean, and are labor-intensive for hospital staff. Unlike these intermittent processes, SmartCare continuously monitors the patient, interprets the data, and adjusts the level of ventilator in two- or five-minute intervals.

This knowledge-based system was developed through extensive testing by clinicians working with Draeger Medical, allowing SmartCare to become fully interactive and responsive to the demands of the patient. SmartCare provides the potential to improve clinical outcomes and workflow while decreasing costs at the same time.

Dr. Nader M. Habashi, MD, FACP, FCCP, director of the Multi-Trauma Critical Care ICU at the R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center and assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, said "Knowledge-based weaning defines and standardizes the process for ventilator adjustments, expected outcomes, and patient monitoring during weaning. Several studies have shown that many patients are ventilated longer than necessary, and the implementation of multidisciplinary protocols to aid the weaning process results in a significant reduction in ventilation days."

In addition, by reducing weaning time, SmartCare may lower the risk of complications such as ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) and lung injury, leading to reductions in the cost of care, improved resource utilization, and decreased incidence of ventilator morbidity.

"Literature suggests that a significant amount of clinicians' time is spent in attempts to wean patients off ventilator support," said Brad Saunders, Director of Marketing, Critical Care Area for Draeger Medical, Inc. "SmartCare is a reengineering of the weaning process through automation of accepted clinical protocols. It is a tool that extends the clinician's ability to make necessary adjustments required to progress care of the weaning patient. By simply observing, adapting and maintaining the patient, SmartCare provides the potential to improve outcome while decreasing cost. It is our belief that a knowledge-based weaning system will provide a foundation for weaning now and in the future."

About Draeger Medical

Draeger Medical AG & Co. KGaA is one of the world's leading manufacturers of medical equipment, the largest division of Draegerwerk AG (history dates back to 1889) and a 65:35 joint venture company between Draegerwerk AG and Siemens AG. The Company offers products, services and integrated CareArea(TM) Solutions throughout the patient care process - Emergency Care, Perioperative Care, Critical Care, Perinatal Care and Home Care. With U.S. headquarters in Telford, Pennsylvania and world headquarters in Luebeck, Germany, Draeger Medical employs nearly 6,000 people worldwide.

Additional information is available on the Company's website www.draegermedical.com