Wireless System for Christus Spohn

Corpus Christi, Texas, February 10, 2006 – CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Beeville is the pilot site for a new wireless system that enables vital signs and other clinical data to be transmitted wirelessly. CHRISTUS Spohn Beeville will be the first city in Texas to use this revolutionary system. The system, which went live this week, has numerous benefits that generate a higher standard of clinical care.

“We were privileged to be the pilot site for this system. This is an extremely beneficial program for the hospital and the community of Beeville. This new technology, which will be implemented in two phases, will enable our staff to provide improved patient care efficiently through fast access to accurate data,” explained David Wagner, Vice President and Administrator for CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Beeville.

In Phase I, the wireless system will automatically capture the patient’s data and send it to a Central Station Monitor located in the Nursing Station. Phase II will allow for wireless transmissions of patient vital signs and other clinical data into the hospital’s clinical information systems. Phase II will be implemented in April 2006. “We believe the instant capture of vital signs will help provide all care givers with the most current patient information in making clinical decisions,” added Wagner.

“The system can cost-effectively reduce data entry redundancy and potential transcribing errors. And, it will enhance CHRISTUS Spohn Beeville’s efficiency and improve patient care and safety,” said, Veronica A. Guerra, Project Manager for Information Management, CHRISTUS Health System.

The wireless program, CareTrends, is a product of Sensitron a technology company based out of Silicon Valley, California.

CHRISTUS Spohn Health System is the region’s largest charity care provider and not-for-profit health care system consisting of six hospital campuses - CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi (Shoreline, Memorial and South), CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Alice, CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Beeville and CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Kleberg (Kingsville). The health system is consistently ranked as a leading health system in the area and has received national recognition for several pioneering programs, including cardiac care, clinical excellence and oncology. For more than 100 years, CHRISTUS Spohn has been distinguished by its high caliber staff and affiliated physicians, its comprehensive and innovative services, and its long history of responding to the needs of the community it serves. For additional information, visit our website at www.christusspohn.org.