Philips VISICU eICU Program Facilitates Hospital Management of Surge Capacity Demand

BALTIMORE, Oct. 26, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Concerns are rising over the continuing spread of H1N1 flu and Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG; AEX: PHI) is working to help hospital administrators manage the ensuing surge capacity demand. The Philips VISICU eICU® Program and its portable eCareMobile solution can reduce staff exposure and help hospitals manage surge demand associated with an H1N1 outbreak.

The eCareMobile solution was developed by Philips VISICU as a mobile extension of their popular eICU Program, bringing the expertise of centralized intensivists to patients wherever it may be needed. Using advanced onboard audio and video capabilities connected to a dedicated eICU team of specialists, the eCareMobile system facilitates effective emergency response and management of surge capacity demand for pandemics like H1N1 flu, as well as mass casualty events.

According to Brian Rosenfeld, M.D., chief medical officer for Philips VISICU, "With the SARS pandemic in Toronto, the second wave of patients were primarily doctors and nurses. The entire Province of Ontario was functionally shut down, from a critical care standpoint, by the 240 cases. Remote ICU care using the eCareMobile system provides an alternative method for dealing with surge capacity demand while minimizing exposure of critical care specialists to infected patients."

A recent survey of 190 U.S. healthcare facilities, conducted by the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, reports that many hospitals are not ready for the H1N1 flu:

• More than 25 percent have inadequate isolation for H1N1 flu patients.
• 15 percent have no access to proper respirator masks, exposing nurses and patients to potential H1N1 infection.
• 40 percent expect to re-use masks, against Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
• 18 percent report nurses having become infected; one California nurse has already died from the H1N1 flu.
  

The Philips VISICU eICU Program, in conjunction with the eCareMobile solution, provided support during a full-scale emergency drill on September 26 that included eighteen hospitals and emergency departments, along with hundreds of police officers, fire and rescue personnel, the FBI, FEMA, Homeland Security, hospital workers, community representatives, and volunteers from the Washington, DC region.

The drill demonstrated how advanced telemedicine programs, like the Philips VISICU eICU Program, can facilitate more effective management of surge capacity demand by isolating and centralizing scarce medical resources away from the source of viruses and/or dangerous conditions. Zachary Corrigan, executive director of the Northern Virginia Hospital Alliance, led medical activities during the drill.

"The advanced eICU telemedicine solution piloted a new way to take full advantage of specialists for emergency triage and stabilization of patients while prioritizing those most in need of transfer," said Corrigan. "With eICU Program technology, we can better manage surge capacity demand on our trauma centers by bringing remote tertiary care expertise directly to the patients."

Philips VISICU, in collaboration with its fulfillment partner CACI International, Inc., has provided eCareMobile units to more than 40 hospitals. Approximately 250 hospitals in the United States are currently using the eICU Program.

In September, CACI was awarded a $47 million contract to support the Center of Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (COE-DMHA) in providing disaster management and humanitarian assistance services.

eICU® is a registered trademark of Philips VISICU. All rights reserved.

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified Health and Well-being company, focused on improving people's lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of "sense and simplicity". Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 118,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of $38 billion (EUR 26 billion) in 2008, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in flat TV, male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter

About CACI International, Inc.

CACI provides professional services and IT solutions needed to prevail in the defense, intelligence, homeland security, and federal civilian government arenas. We deliver enterprise IT and network services; data, information, and knowledge management services; business system solutions; logistics and material readiness; C4ISR integration services; cyber security, information assurance, and information operations; integrated security and intelligence solutions; and program management and SETA support services. CACI services and solutions help our federal clients provide for national security, improve communications and collaboration, secure the integrity of information systems and networks, enhance data collection and analysis, and increase efficiency and mission effectiveness. CACI is a member of the Fortune 1000 Largest Companies and the Russell 2000 index. CACI provides dynamic careers for approximately 12,500 employees working in over 120 offices in the U.S. and Europe. Visit CACI on the web at www.caci.com.

SOURCE Philips VISICU