BOC Supplies Ohio State University Medical Center with Bulk Medical Oxygen and New Wireless Telemetry Monitoring Units

Business Wire, Oct 21, 2003

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

MURRAY HILL, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 21, 2003

BOC (NYSE:BOX) has signed a long-term agreement for the supply of USP (United States Pharmacopoeia) medical bulk liquid oxygen to The Ohio State University Medical Center (OSUMC) in Columbus, Ohio. The contract has an estimated lifetime value in excess of US$1 million.

"BOC designed and built two bulk storage systems on the OSUMC site, and provided their maintenance staff with training on the safe use, handling and storage of liquid oxygen," says Gale Colston, regional medical specialist, BOC.

Marc Mays, director, respiratory therapy services, OSUMC, says, "BOC worked very closely for several months with our engineering and supply management staff to ensure that the transition from our previous supplier and the installation of the new equipment went smoothly."

"OSUMC has also chosen our proprietary wireless Teltank(TM) telemetry system for remote monitoring of on-site bulk storage tank pressure and levels," Colston adds. "Telemetry helps ensure supply consistency, which is especially important in a hospital setting where lives may depend upon the availability of oxygen."

"We will also be providing OSU's engineering department with an annual safety and regulatory compliance inspection report for Liquid Oxygen Drug Delivery Systems (LODDS)," says Colston. "This report will provide OSU with verification that its LODDS are Food and Drug Administration and National Fire Protection Association compliant, and that the system meets local building codes and JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) inspection specifications."

The BOC Group (NYSE:BOX), the worldwide medical and industrial gases, vacuum technologies and distribution services company, serves two million customers in more than 50 countries. It employs 46,000 people and had annual sales of some $6 billion in 2002. Further information about The BOC Group may be obtained on the Internet at http://www.boc.com.