Sierra Wireless And Bell Atlantic Mobile Provide Nurses With Wireless Access To Improve Patient Care

Vancouver, BC — The Medical Center at Princeton, New Jersey, is one of the first health care organizations in the United States to use wireless technology to provide real-time access to patient records during home visits, thanks to wireless modems from Sierra Wireless and wireless service from Bell Atlantic Mobile.

More than eighty visiting nurses and therapists are supplied with portable notebook computers equipped with Sierra Wireless' AirCard® wireless modems and Bell Atlantic Mobile's AirBridge® wireless data service. The wireless system links the nurses' portable notebook computers directly to the Center's patient database, giving them the ability to access a patient's electronic record, medical history and prescription records, file progress reports, and communicate with doctors real-time, directly from the patient's home.

This wireless system benefits both the nurses and the patients. Immediate access to previous detailed records makes it easier for nurses to understand a patient's medical history and to provide continuity of care. Nurses can now file their patient reports immediately, resulting in prompt report filing and decreased paperwork. Receiving timely and relevant patient information can assist doctors in better analyzing the patient condition as doctors may change treatments or subscriptions based on updated information concerning the patient's progress. Prior to this wireless solution, it could take up to several days for doctors to receive these updates via the traditional mailing of reports.

"Our primary focus is delivering quality healthcare services," said Lucy Molfedas, Director at Medical Center at Princeton. "Sierra Wireless and Bell Atlantic Mobile have provided an effective wireless solution that allows our nurses and staff to better manage patient records and ultimately better serve our patients."

"We so often talk about the benefits of wireless data from a business productivity standpoint - how companies can do business better, faster, and smarter," said Bill Davidson, Vice President-Wireless Data Sales and Marketing, Bell Atlantic Mobile. "With this application, we are bringing the benefits of wireless data directly to the patients who will enjoy better quality care from efficient, well-informed healthcare providers."

"It is gratifying to see our products deliver real patient benefits and healthcare productivity" said Andrew Harries, Vice President of Marketing, Sierra Wireless. "The AirCard is widely used government and industry where wireless data has a profound and positive impact on the way people work. The Medical Center at Princeton application is a clear example of wireless data's broadening appeal."

About the AirCard

The AirCard is the first Type II PC Card set to offer circuit switched cellular and Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) functionality without bulky extensions and extra batteries. It connects your notebook directly to the Internet/Intranet and enterprise email.

CDPD, commonly known as Wireless IP, is the fastest wide area wireless service available with transmission speeds of 19.2 kbps and a high level of security using RSA encryption. CDPD coverage is available in over 200 markets with services offered major cellular operators. CDPD also enjoys a growing presence in Canada, Latin America, Asia and the South Pacific.

About Sierra Wireless

Sierra Wireless is a leading wireless data communications equipment company. The leader in cellular data subscriber products, Sierra Wireless delivers a broad product range including PC Cards for portable computers, ruggedized vehicle-mounted modems, OEM modules for embedded applications, telemetry modems and software tools and utilities. For more information on Sierra Wireless product line visit the company's web site at www.sierrawireless.com or telephone (604) 231-1100.

About Princeton Medical Center

The Medical Center at Princeton is a 450-bed, nonprofit, teaching, community medical center. Five different units combine to form the Medical Center at Princeton: Princeton Hospital; Princeton House (psychiatric and addictions treatment); Merwick sub-acute care and rehabilitation facility; the Home Care department, which includes Hospice, and the Princeton Surgical Center, which provides same-day surgery services. The Medical Center recently received Accreditation with Commendation from the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). This is the highest level of accreditation awarded by the Commission, and it is achieved by only 15 percent of hospitals in the United States. For more information, contact Carol Norris, (609) 497-4194

About Bell Atlantic Mobile

Bell Atlantic Mobile owns and operates the largest wireless network in the East, covering 112,000 square miles, and the largest chain of retail outlets devoted exclusively to wireless voice, data and paging. Based in Bedminster, NJ, Bell Atlantic Mobile has 5.7 million customers and 7,000 employees from Maine to Georgia and, through a separate subsidiary, in the Southwest. Through its "Wireless at Work..." community service program, the company uses its technology to help individuals and communities improve security and emergency communications. Bell Atlantic Mobile's parent is one of the world's largest wireless communications companies, with domestic operations in 25 states and international investments in Mexico, Europe and the Pacific Rim. For more information on Bell Atlantic Mobile visit: www.bam.com; for global operations visit: www.bellatlantic.com/worldwide. AirCard® is a registered trademark of Sierra Wireless. AirBridge® is a registered trademark of Bell Atlantic Mobile.

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