12th Oct 2007 13:08
Smith & Nephew Plc12 October 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Smith & Nephew announces agreement with Universal Hospital Services, Inc. tomanage and distribute Negative Pressure Wound Therapy products October 12 2007 The Advanced Wound Management business unit of Smith & Nephew (LSE: SN; NYSE:SNN) announced today that it has reached an agreement with Universal HospitalServices, Inc. (UHS) to bring their Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT)products to the US rental market through UHS, tapping into UHS's more than 65years of experience renting, managing and servicing medical equipment to the UShealth care industry. The distribution agreement covers Smith & Nephew's EZCARE(TM) and V1STA(TM) product systems focusing on the US Acute Care market. UHS will support Smith & Nephew's clinical platform in providing comprehensive wound rentals, logistics and distribution support to customers. UHS is a leading medical equipment lifecycle services company in the US,operating through more than 80 offices and serving health care customers in all50 states and the District of Columbia. UHS's diverse customer base includesmore than 3,800 acute care hospitals. The combination of Smith & Nephew's newlyacquired NPWT product portfolio, with the medical equipment management andlogistics support of UHS, is intended to provide customers with the mostefficient access to this advanced technology for the solution of their woundcare needs. Joe Woody, President of the Advanced Wound Management division said, "I believethis alliance allows us to deliver our innovative customer solutions with theright customer focus." Robin Carlstein, Senior Vice President - NPWT StrategicBusiness Unit added, "This is a great combination of two companies providingleadership in their respective business areas; Smith & Nephew in woundmanagement and UHS's medical equipment management and logistics expertise." Gary D Blackford, Chairman and CEO of UHS commented: "Our new relationship withSmith & Nephew will bring more competition in the area of equipment based woundcare therapies, and more comprehensive solutions for the treatment of wounds forpatients. This is a win for both patients and caregivers." Enquiries Sidonie Myers Tel: +44 (0) 1482 673246Head of CommunicationSmith & Nephew Advanced Wound [email protected] Notes for Editors Following the recent acquisition of BlueSky Medical, Smith & Nephew is the firstand only wound care company to provide negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT).NPWT is a technology used to treat chronic wounds such as diabetic ulcers,pressure sores, as well as post-operative and hard-to-heal wounds. It aids inthe healing of open wounds by the application of sub-atmospheric pressure. Smith & Nephew has now added a range of NPWT products to its advanced woundmanagement portfolio including: EZCARE(TM) - A NPWT system that is designed for simple operation to minimisetraining requirements and improve efficiency. It has a long battery life,safety alarms, patient lockout and a quiet operation. It also operates at lowervacuum levels enhancing patient comfort and compliance. V1STA(TM) - A NPWT system that is lightweight and easily portable. The deviceincorporates a range of safety features such as low vacuum alarms for detectionof leaks and sensing technology to protect against high vacuum levels. Both NPWT systems are designed to be used with a range of wound sealing dressingkits, and canisters now offered by Smith & Nephew. The EZCARE and V1STA systemsinvolve simple dressing changes that take less nursing time and are easy tolearn and teach. About Smith & Nephew Smith & Nephew Advanced Wound Management is headquartered in the United Kingdom.The organisation has manufacturing centres in the United Kingdom and Largo, FL. Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business, specialising inOrthopaedic Reconstruction, Orthopaedic Trauma and Clinical Therapies, Endoscopyand Advanced Wound Management products. Smith & Nephew is a global leader inarthroscopy and advanced wound management and is one of the leading globalorthopaedics companies. Smith & Nephew is dedicated to helping improve people's lives. The Companyprides itself on the strength of its relationships with its surgeons andprofessional healthcare customers, with whom its name is synonymous with highstandards of performance, innovation and trust. The Company operates in 32countries around the world. Annual sales in 2006 were nearly $2.8 billion. About UHS Universal Hospital Services, Inc. (UHS) is a leading, nationwide provider ofmedical equipment outsourcing and services to the US health care industry. Itscustomers include national, regional, and local acute care hospitals, alternatesite providers (such as nursing homes and home care providers) and medicalequipment manufacturers. As a leading medical equipment lifecycle servicescompany, UHS designs and offers comprehensive solutions for its customers thatreduce costs, increase equipment and staff productivity and support optimalpatient care. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within themeaning of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In particular, statements regarding expected revenue growth and trading margins discussed under "Outlook" are forward-looking statements as are discussions of our product pipeline. These statements, as well as the phrases "aim", "plan", "intend", "anticipate", "well-placed", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "consider" and similar expressions, are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors (including, but not limited to, the outcome of litigation, claims and regulatory approvals) that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Smith & Nephew, or industry results, to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Please refer to the documents that Smith & Nephew has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including Smith & Nephew's most recent annual report on Form 20F, for a discussion of certain of these factors. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on informationavailable to Smith & Nephew as of the date hereof. All written or oralforward-looking statements attributable to Smith & Nephew or any person actingon behalf of Smith & Nephew are expressly qualified in their entirety by theforegoing. Smith & Nephew does not undertake any obligation to update or reviseany forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in Smith &Nephew's expectation with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions orcircumstances on which any such statement is based. (TM) Trademark of Smith & Nephew. Certain marks registered US Patent and Trademark Office. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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