Fujitsu Hong Kong Limited

Technology Improves Healthcare - Fujitsu's mobile solutions enhances patient care at MacNeal Health Network

Hong Kong, February 26, 2002 — Improving resource management, re-engineering work processes, streamlining procedures and eliminating non-valued added work are the common goals most hospitals wish to achieve all over the world. To improve its performance levels and cost containment, MacNeal Health Network (MHN), a prominent provider of health service based in United States, has adopted mobile computing solutions designed by Fujitsu. Caregivers can now access and update their patients' medical records in real-time from any location within the facilities.

Hospitals are facing daily challenges of the paper-based systems that were very difficult to maintain and time-intrusive. Caregivers need to search through paper files which are always unavailable or misplaced; moreover, potential wrong data caused by human errors in manual inputting is another common issue that limits quality of patient care and efficiency in this time-critical environment. MHN, which provides combined healthcare services for more than 75 years, including a 427-bed hospital, Health Centers and Home Health Services, saw Fujitsu's mobile computing solutions an opportunity to reduce administrative costs and make clinical documentation easier.

MHN has installed a dedicated wireless LAN in conjunction with the use of pen computers in its healthcare facilities. Fujitsu and its business partners provided hardware and software wireless solutions to MHN. Now, doctors and nurses are no longer required to carry heavy files to wards. Instead, they just need to bring along a Fujitsu's Tablet PC through which accurate and real-time medical data can be retrieved. As compared with PDAs and notebooks, Tablet PC is more effective when used in conjunction with wireless LAN in hospitals. Though PDAs are easy to use and portable, it is not powerful enough to handle data intensive applications and the screen is less favorable to view medical charts. Sometimes notebooks were found to be too cumbersome especially when there is no surface on which to perch. Thanks to pen computer, healthcare professionals can bring it to the bedside of a patient with readily available data, such as charts, test results and medical research. They don't have to be tied to a notebook on a desk. It allows healthcare workers to interact with patients in the way they like.

In turn, non-medical benefits of the wireless solution are achieved. MHN has greatly eliminated the need of paper forms and stationary. More than 2.2 million pieces of paper have been saved. At the same time, since storage of paper files is not needed any more, their storage room has been converted into clinical space to accommodate additional patients. One of MHN's facilities reported revenue increase by 39 percent after adopting the technology.

The traditional networking system can no longer fulfill the need of users because of cabling restrictions. The technology of wireless LAN nowadays is well-developed in terms of transmission speed, accuracy and distance. Yet, the application of wireless LAN technology in hospitals is still on its starting line. The mobile computing solutions provided by Fujitsu can undoubtedly improve the efficiency of hospitals and the quality of medial services to its excellence.

Notes to editor:

• For more than 10 years, Fujitsu is the undisputed leader in pen tablet PC marketplace. A recent market study published by International Data Corporation (IDC) shows that Fujitsu holds a 57 percent worldwide share of pen table market and 63 percent in the United States. Fujitsu's pen tablets PCs are widely adopted in vertical applications not only in healthcare industry but also in sales force automation, insurance, warehousing, merchandising and utilities. For further inquiry, please call our Information Hotline 2828 2833.

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About Fujitsu Hong Kong Limited

Fujitsu Hong Kong Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Limited, has been in operation in Hong Kong since 1986. To further enhance its leading position in services expertise in the region, it was reorganized in 1997 through a strategic merger with International Computer HK Limited (ICL), which is the first computer firm certified with the ISO 9001 standard in Hong Kong.
With its strong background in providing mainframe technology in the territory, Fujitsu Hong Kong Limited has evolved herself into a well-established supplier of IT and Telecommunication solutions, Infrastructure systems and services to the customers in China and Hong Kong. It helps government organisations and companies of all sizes, across all industries, in consultation, design, building and operating IT&T solutions, offering competitive advantage in the Internet world.
For more information, please see: http://hk.fujitsu.com/

About Fujitsu Limited

Fujitsu is a leading provider of Internet-focused information technology solutions for the global marketplace. Its pace-setting technologies, best-in-class computing and telecommunications platforms, and worldwide corps of systems and services experts make it uniquely positioned to unleash the infinite possibilities of the Internet to help its customers succeed. Headquartered in Tokyo, Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of USD44.2 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001.
For more information, please see: http://www.fujitsu.com/

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