University of Texas Medical Branch Partners with Sysmex America

Laboratory automation to enhance patient care delivery and revenue-generation

Mundelein, Illinois and Galveston, Texas, July 20, 2006 – Sysmex America, Inc. and the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) today announced UTMB’s purchase of the Sysmex HST Hematology Automation Line for the center’s clinical laboratory. This purchase, based on technical merit and competitive pricing, is a second generation Sysmex equipment purchase for UTMB, said John Kershaw, President, Sysmex America, Inc. UTMB at Galveston is a full-service healthcare institution offering clinical services that range from primary care to specialty and subspecialty services in all major medical disciplines. Sysmex is a world leader in clinical laboratory design, systemization and solutions.

UTMB’s clinical laboratory currently performs hematology testing on more than 850 specimens per day. “As a healthcare provider, UTMB must balance the need to provide quality patient care with the need to deliver that care as cost-effectively as possible. These needs are not going to change. As such, the purchase of the Sysmex HST Hematology Automation Line is a logical one, allowing us to reduce our labor expenses, to provide volume flexibility, and to establish our infrastructure as a revenue-generating center,” said Steve DeVine, MT (ASCP) SH, CLS (NCA), Chief Tech Division of Hematopathology UTMB at Galveston.

UTMB’s Sysmex Hematology Automation Line includes two XE-2100 hematology analyzers, a SP-1000i slide maker/stainer, MOLIS WAM (Work Area Manager) and the CellaVision™ DM96 Digital Cell Morphology System.

“Our experience in automating laboratories to deliver rapid, accurate test results will continue to be a driving force in the selection process of hospitals across the nation as they try to stay competitive in today’s market, while providing quality, cost-effective patient care,” said John Kershaw, President, Sysmex America, Inc.

Sysmex hematology analyzers have been ranked the best in the industry for performance and reliability for six consecutive years according to the annual IMV ServiceTrak™ customer satisfaction survey. Survey respondents included department supervisors, lab managers, technologists and senior technologists chosen at random from hospitals of varying size from across the country.

About University of Texas Medical Branch
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston is a major academic health center dedicated to health science education, patient care, research, and community service. Its mission is to provide scholarly teaching, innovative scientific investigation, and state-of-the-art patient care in a learning environment. More than 12,000 faculty and staff work at UTMB’s main campus and its network of community-based clinics. Clinical services range from primary care to specialty and subspecialty services in all major medical disciplines. UTMB also offers a variety of non-medical services that provide social and spiritual support to patients and their families.

About Sysmex
Sysmex America, Inc., the U.S. headquarters of Sysmex Corporation (Kobe, Japan), is a world leader in clinical laboratory systematization and solutions, including clinical diagnostics, automation and information systems that elevate clinical laboratory medicine to first-line patient care. Sysmex America, Inc. focuses on extending the boundaries of diagnostic science while providing the management information tools that make a real difference in clinical and operational results for people worldwide. Additional information about Sysmex America, Inc. can be found at www.sysmex.com/usa.

Contact Information

Tammy Kutz

Manager, Media & Event

Sysmex America, Inc.

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