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CDW Healthcare Launches IT Infrastructure Solutions for Healthcare Providers

Hospital Network Utilizes CDW MPOC and PACS Infrastructure Offerings and Expertise to Free Staff to Focus on Delivering Highest Quality Patient Care

VERNON HILLS, Ill. - February 6, 2006 - CDW Healthcare, a division of CDW Corporation (NASDAQ:CDWC)'s government subsidiary and a leading provider of technology products and services to healthcare organizations, today announced the launch of two infrastructure solutions to support healthcare providers. Effective immediately, CDW Healthcare will provide tailored Information Technology (IT) infrastructure solutions specifically designed to support Mobile Point of Care (MPOC) and Picture Archiving and Communications Systems (PACS) systems. Customers currently realizing the benefits of CDW Healthcare's technical depth and industry-specific expertise include Bon Secours Hampton Roads Health System (Hampton Roads, Va.), a hospital network delivering more efficient and higher quality services through the use of CDW Healthcare MPOC and PACS infrastructure solutions.

The CDW Healthcare infrastructure solutions combine IT products and services from multiple vendors to support Healthcare-specific applications. Providing objective, price sensitive guidance on products from the company's more than 1,000 partners, CDW Healthcare account managers and certified technology specialists customize each solution to fit unique adoption, compatibility and user requirements. Depending upon the customer requirement, the MPOC and PACS solutions will include professional services; IT hardware, software and peripherals; as well as non-IT accessories, such as compatible and ergonomic carts and desks.

"Healthcare organizations do not have pre-packaged problems or industry-standard challenges; they have unique needs that require tailored answers," said Chris Rother, CDW vice president for healthcare. "Rather than fitting customer problems to pre-defined, single-brand solutions, CDW Healthcare brings market savvy, technology expertise and more than 1,000 IT partners to match the best technology to each customer's unique set of needs."

Mobile Point of Care Infrastructure Solution
Focused on improving Healthcare provider operations at the point of patient care, CDW Healthcare MPOC infrastructure offerings deliver advanced, adaptable technology directly to the caregiver regardless of location within the facility. Though every final infrastructure solution will have a custom configuration, typical MPOC solutions will include:
  • Workstation(s) or laptop(s)
  • Diagnostic- or technician-quality monitor
  • Affordable, shift-length battery cells
  • Ergonomic cart(s) comfortable for standing or sitting, with 20 inches of height adjustment
  • Keyboard light to allow for unobtrusive nighttime use
  • Input/output accessories (e.g. keyboard, mouse, flash drive)
  • High-gain antenna for wireless access
Further, CDW Healthcare recognizes that the success of MPOC depends on rapid, flawless user adoption from multiple user audiences including physicians and nurses. To meet the requirements of multiple stakeholders, CDW Healthcare will provide solution components from several different vendors and product types for user tests and approval, prior to solution selection.

Picture Archiving and Communications Systems Infrastructure Solution
The CDW Healthcare PACS infrastructure solution brings world-class storage, networking, processing and display technology to reduce the cost and complexity of delivering critical information quickly. Taking full advantage of open standards – including Digital Information and Communications In Medicine (DICOM), Health Level 7 (HL7) and Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE) – the CDW Healthcare PACS infrastructure reduces the cost of previously proprietary systems.

Typically, hardware, software and services components include:
  • Pre-sales site review
  • High-capacity workstation
  • Diagnostic- or technician-quality monitor
  • Scalable, high-performance storage
  • Robust network hardware
  • Post-implementation support
Case in Point: Bon Secours Hampton Roads Health System
Bon Secours Hampton Roads Health System, a healthcare organization serving southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina, recently completed the initial implementation phase of a CDW Healthcare MPOC infrastructure solution. Bon Secours currently utilizes four MPOC systems to deliver up-to-date medical images and information directly to physicians in the operating room. By providing critical information to the physician, immediately and at the point of care, the system is in a position to improve patient outcomes and reduce the amount of time needed to complete procedures. In addition, the combination of the hospital systems' MPOC system and its CDW technology-enabled PACS system helps to drive down costs by significantly reducing the need for expensive medical film.

Surgeons at Bon Secours facilities in Hampton Roads, Virginia (greater Norfolk area) can now pull down images from the company's PACS system, plan and template surgeries, and then have those high-resolution images at their fingertips during the surgery via monitors on the new mobile carts. Previously, surgeons brought bulky film images and patient records into the operating room, where a surgical assistant would often physically hold them for the physician.

"Bon Secours Hampton Roads constantly looks for new ways to meet people's needs and improve our service through innovation," said Scott Lull, information services project manager, Bon Secours Hampton Roads Health System. "The CDW Healthcare MPOC infrastructure solution has earned a spot in our operating rooms, where every square inch is dedicated to ensuring quality patient care. Our dedicated CDW Healthcare sales representatives brought a comprehensive spectrum of technology choices to bear on our implementation, providing technical assistance as needed and even working to arrange product demos for our surgeons. This individualized approach helped us to find the right solution for our organization."

Bon Secours is entering the second phase of its four-phase PACS and MPOC implementation, which it is rolling out across three acute care hospitals and one out-patient surgery center. Phase one encompassed the PACS implementation. Subsequent phases include: the complete MPOC rollout for emergency room and operational room environments; a focus on mammography; and finally, remote access of the PACS system.

About CDW-G
CDW Government, Inc. (CDW-G), a wholly owned subsidiary of CDW Corporation (NASDAQ: CDWC), a FORTUNE 500 company, is a trusted technology advisor and solutions provider to federal, state and local government agencies, as well as to educational institutions at all levels. CDW-G responds with a sense of urgency to customer technology needs, delivering best-in-class solutions from top-name brands such as APC, Apple, Cisco, HP, IBM, Microsoft, Sony, Symantec, Toshiba and ViewSonic. CDW-G focuses on building strong customer relationships with its knowledgeable account managers and technical specialists who provide extensive pre- and post-sales support.

For more information about CDW-G product offerings, procurement options, services and solutions, call 1.800.863.4239, or visit the CDW-G Web site at CDWG.com.