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US Oncology Selects KODAK CARESTREAM Platform For Image Management


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ROCHESTER, N.Y., October 13 -- US Oncology, one of the nation’s largest health services networks focused exclusively on cancer treatment and research, has selected KODAK DIRECTVIEW PACS System 5, a component of KODAK CARESTREAM Information Management Solutions, as the recommended image management platform for its network of 82 community-based comprehensive cancer centers and 13 radiation-only sites. The decision was announced by Eastman Kodak Company’s Health Group during the annual American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) show.

“Our committee of network physicians and clinical, administrative and technology staff evaluated vendors to determine who best understood the specific needs of our oncology practices and was able to meet our unique requirements,” said Ken Ewers, U.S. Oncology’s Director of Cancer Center Services Technology. “Kodak demonstrated that they had a clinical understanding of oncology workflow and worked with us to develop a solution that meets both our clinical and business needs.”

KODAK CARESTREAM Information Management Solutions enable cancer treatment facilities to store and manage patients’ diagnostic imaging exams—and in the future treatment imaging captured by a variety of different systems—all from a central database. Images and reports are available to referring physicians via the Internet, replacing the time-consuming task of producing and mailing film or CDs. These solutions not only improve staff productivity and efficiency, but also reduce overall costs associated with information storage and archiving.

Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers, a Denver-based practice in the US Oncology network, installed a KODAK CARESTREAM Information Management Solution in its 13 offices and five comprehensive cancer centers throughout Colorado. It is the first US Oncology network practice to implement this system and to transition to a completely digital environment for its diagnostic and oncology imaging. Today, images within the practice are automatically delivered, along with prior exams, to the appropriate radiology group for interpretation, resulting in a dramatic decrease in the time it takes for reports and images to become available to physicians for viewing via the Web.

“The KODAK CARESTREAM Solution improves staff productivity and efficiency. Our new automated, electronic process eliminates hours spent producing and couriering films or CDs to radiologists and physicians. But most importantly, our patients receive results in four to 24 hours instead of three days,” said Lisa Bruehahn-Propernick, Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers’ Radiation and Imaging Services Director.

She added that the speed and convenience of the CARESTREAM Solution also helps the practice enhance service to referring physicians. “Physicians can often access reports and associated images the same day the study is performed. In addition, all records are organized into an electronic patient folder, so physicians can quickly and easily view documents and images related to each patient.”

The CARESTREAM Solution plays an important role in US Oncology’s radiation technology strategy.

“Over the past several years, we have developed an integrated technology strategy called RADMAPÔ to support the efforts of our network practices’ services. The CARESTREAM Solution is an essential element of that strategy. We will work with Kodak to offer a digital imaging platform that is flexible, easy-to-use and facilitates timely, high quality care for the cancer patients who come through the doors of our network practices,” said Ewers.

About US Oncology

US Oncology, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is one of the nation’s largest healthcare services networks dedicated exclusively to cancer treatment and research. US Oncology provides extensive services and support to its affiliated cancer care sites nationwide to help them expand their offering of the most advanced treatments and technologies, build integrated community-based cancer care centers, improve their therapeutic drug management programs, and participate in many of the new cancer-related clinical research studies. US Oncology is affiliated with 944 physicians operating in 481 locations, including 82 outpatient comprehensive cancer centers and 13 radiation-only sites of service in 33 states. For more information, visit www.usoncology.com.

About Kodak’s Health Group

Kodak’s Health Group, with 2004 revenues of $2.68 billion, supplies the medical and dental professions with traditional and digital imaging and information systems. Its portfolio includes picture archiving and communications systems (PACS), radiology information systems (RIS), IT solutions, clinical information solutions, computed and digital radiography systems, laser imagers, mammography and oncology systems, x-ray film systems, and dental imaging products. Its services portfolio includes everything from repair and maintenance, to professional services encompassing integration, storage and archiving, secure e-mail services – and much more.

Kodak’s other major businesses include: Graphic Communications – providing customers with a range of solutions for prepress, traditional and digital printing, and document scanning and multi-vendor IT services; Digital & Film Imaging Systems – providing consumers, professionals and cinematographers with digital and traditional products and services; and Display & Components – supplying original equipment manufacturers with imaging sensors as well as intellectual property and materials for the organic light-emitting diode (OLED) and LCD display industries.

For more information about Kodak (NYSE:EK) contact your Kodak representative or visit www.kodak.com.
Note: KODAK, DIRECTVIEW and CARESTREAM are trademarks of Eastman Kodak Company 2005.



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