Siemens Offers Systematic Approach to Optimizing Healthcare Workflow and Efficiency; Best Practice Integration Showcased at Booth 7113 at RSNA 2001.

Business Editors

RSNA 2001

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 25, 2001

Following a year of expansion and innovation, Siemens Medical Solutions (Med) continues its focus on improving workflow through the integration of advanced imaging and information technologies at the Radiological Society of North America's (RSNA) Annual Conference.

With the full integration of Shared Medical Systems and Acuson Corporation, Siemens Medical is uniquely positioned to provide the most comprehensive solutions to healthcare providers comprising best-in-class information technology and medical equipment.

"Patients are left waiting at nearly every step of the healthcare process, and financial situations have left facilities re-evaluating the way they deliver care," said Dr. Erich Reinhardt, president and chief executive officer of Siemens Medical Solutions. "Our mission, through the development of diverse equipment and information technologies, is to assist facilities in improving patient care while gaining process efficiencies, therefore impacting the bottom line."

Siemens Medical's strategy of Best Practice Integration encompasses four components - Innovation, Migration, Operations, and Outcomes - each designed to improve workflow and cost effectiveness of healthcare facilities without sacrificing the health and well being of the patient.

Workflow Empowered by syngo

Using syngo, a comprehensive software solution developed by Siemens for medical imaging tasks and applications, clinicians gain access to radiological images, patient history, and other relevant data anytime, anywhere.

Improved information access by clinicians and administrators results in higher working efficiency and significant reduction of errors. Since syngo is a Windows-based common platform, hospitals can find cost benefits through reduced equipment-training times, increased flexibility of staff and better overall equipment utilization.

In addition, syngo is expandable and contractable, depending on the needs and advancements of a particular hospital. Future developments will be easily integrated into the syngo platform, meaning it will continue to be at the cutting-edge of healthcare technology.

Acquisitions Expand Solutions

In the past 18 months, Siemens has taken a leadership position in the healthcare IT industry with the acquisition of Shared Medical Systems (now Siemens Medical Solutions Health Services Corporation), offering a broad range of clinical, financial, and management applications as well as outsourcing and professional services to support health providers across the continuum of care.

The recent introduction of Soarian(TM), the first health information solution developed by Siemens since the acquisition, demonstrates the company's enhanced expertise and innovation in healthcare IT. Soarian is an intuitive information system based on industry best practices that will allow healthcare providers to address the growing challenges of patient safety issues, financial concerns, clinical staffing shortages and regulatory compliance.

In addition, the merger with Acuson Corporation, a leader in ultrasound technology, positions Siemens as the premier company in the fast-growing ultrasound market. The company's newest product, the SONOLINE Antares, is the first product the ultrasound division has released since the acquisition. Bringing more to the market than just a "pretty picture," the Antares is syngo-based and designed to address ergonomic issues and improve clinical workflow.

"The addition of Shared Medical and Acuson to the Siemens family has allowed us to differentiate ourselves as a total solutions provider for the healthcare industry," continued Reinhardt. "When all of our technologies work together in perfect harmony, we can provide an integrated solution that improves clinical workflow, resulting in faster, more accurate diagnoses and treatment, as well as reduced operating costs."

Visitors to the Siemens booth (No. 7113) at RSNA will experience this true integration across the spectrum of healthcare. Following a stroke patient through admitting, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care, visitors will see how Siemens echnologies are improving workflow in healthcare facilities throughout the continuum of care.

Siemens Medical Solutions (Med) with headquarters in Iselin, NJ, and Erlangen, Germany, is one of the largest suppliers of medical technologies in the world, offering customize solutions to the healthcare market. The company is renowned for its development of innovative products, ranging from imaging systems for diagnosis to therapy equipment for treatment, to electromedicine products and hearing instruments to information technologies that optimize workflow and increase efficiency in hospitals, clinics and doctors' offices. The company also offers a variety of consulting, financing and data management solutions and is currently the largest Application Service Provider in the world. Employing approximately 30.000 people worldwide, in fiscal 2001 (September, 30), Med reported preliminary sales of 7.2 billion EUR and EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) of 808 million EUR. More information can be obtained through the company's website http://www.siemensmedical.com.