Kodak Plays Key Role in Tuscany South East Project, Italy

GENEVA, Switzerland, November 20 -- Eastman Kodak’s Health Group is playing a key role in one of the most important healthcare initiatives at both Italian and European level. KODAK CARESTREAM Solutions will be installed across the 14 hospitals that make up the Tuscany South East Region of Italy, which has a catchment area of more than 800,000 inhabitants and handles over a million annual radiological examinations.

Back in 2003, the regional health authorities of Tuscany South East had, in accordance with regional guidelines, embarked on a process of diagnostic computerization. The aim was to implement a unified system that would allow sharing of information, clinical data, medical reports and images produced by the radiology services of the hospital structures in the area, including the local health centers of Siena, Arezzo and Grosseto and the University Hospital of Siena.

The project was awarded in 2005 following a public bid for tenders in which Kodak participated as the project leader of a business group with General Electrics (GE). Work began on implementing a RIS and PACS architecture in June 2006 to enable the management and archiving of images and data, distributed across a network of clustered servers. On each node of the network, identical server pairs manage the flow of images and coordinate the phases of information archiving, consultation and distribution.

Initial roll out of the new system has led to numerous and important benefits at many levels including increased efficiency, rationalization of processes and significant workflow improvements within the hospital structures involved. Health professionals now have rapid, easy, secure and universal access to both images and information. Radiological investigations give the patient lower exposure to radiation, as well as shorter and less recurrent examinations. High quality images are available for reporting, allowing specialists to formulate a more accurate, safer and reliable diagnosis.

Francesco Vannoni, Chief Executive of ESTAV South East, one of the three Sub-regional Technical and Administrative Service Units in Tuscany, said, “Today, after several months of operation, we can say that we have a system that is performing excellently. From Kodak we have received commitment, participation, collaboration and punctuality; it is true that the structure has required heavy investment, but we have calculated that within 5-8 years the cost of implementing this technology will be repaid, and from then on we will see only the benefits. We are proud to be partners and promoters of a leading project that is today unique in Europe in terms of size and importance.”
About Kodak’s Health Group

Kodak’s Health Group, with revenues of $2.7 billion 2005, supplies the medical and dental professions with information systems and systems for both digital and conventional imaging. The range includes Picture Archiving and Communications Systems (PACS), Radiology Information Systems (RIS), IT solutions, solutions for clinical information systems, Computed Radiography (CR) and Digital Radiography (DR) systems, laser printers, mammography systems, radiography systems based on x-ray film, and dental imaging products.Its range of services covers every type of offer, from repairs and maintenance, to professional services encompassing integration, storage and archiving, secure e-mail, and much more besides.

Kodak’s other main business segments include:Graphic Communications, offering customers a range of solutions for prepress, traditional and digital printing, document imaging and multivendor IT services. Digital and Film Imaging Systems, supplying customers, professionals and filmmakers with digital and traditional products and services Display and Components, supplying original equipment manufacturers with image sensors, as well as intellectual property and materials for OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) and LCD display sectors. For more information about Kodak (NYSE:EK) visit www.kodak.com.
Kodak and Carestream are trade marks
2006

Contact Information

John LaBella

Global, North America

Eastman Kodak Company

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