University of Michigan Selects McKesson for PACS Replacement

Business Wire, March 12, 2008

Three-Hospital Academic Center Expects to Improve Radiology Team's Efficiency

ATLANTA -- To keep pace with ongoing advances in diagnostic technologies, the University of Michigan Health System has selected McKesson's Horizon Medical Imaging[TM] picture archiving and communication system (PACS). By replacing its legacy PACS with McKesson's highly-rated enterprise-wide system, the organization expects to vastly improve the efficiency of its radiologists, who currently conduct approximately 550,000 exams on an annual basis. McKesson is assisting with the migration of 2 million archived studies into the new PACS at the health system, which includes three hospitals and nine clinical centers. A simultaneous go-live of the PACS systems is expected in early summer 2008.

Designed with strong clinical functionality and workflow, McKesson's Horizon Medical Imaging system can manage large data sets with adaptive image loading and intelligent 3D workstation integration, eliminating the need for radiologists to move from one workstation to another to complete their studies. The system will replace a time-consuming paper-driven dictation process, thus helping the hospital further reduce report turnaround times. McKesson's Horizon Medical Imaging system enables radiologists to launch dictation capabilities with a simple keystroke during report evaluation, and voice recognition technology turns words to text as the doctor speaks.

The Horizon Medical Imaging system also enables hospitals and clinics to acquire, distribute and archive medical images and diagnostic reports across the enterprise. The system integrates images from multiple modalities with clinical patient data, streamlining the department's workflow and contributing to improved radiologist efficiency. In addition, the Horizon Medical Imaging system provides referring physicians with patient images as part of a comprehensive medical record, which enables improved decision-making and helps ensure patient safety.

According to Rod O'Reilly, vice president and general manager of McKesson's Medical Imaging Group, the University of Michigan Health System exemplifies why healthcare organizations are turning to McKesson's solutions to expand the reach and access of images and information.

"Like many organizations seeking a replacement technology, University of Michigan recognizes that an information technology approach to imaging and reporting can improve efficiencies in the radiology department," O'Reilly said. "As a result of the proliferation of 64-slice CT imaging, the management of large data sets requires the use of enterprise-wide advanced visualization and analysis integrated with PACS. We look forward to a smooth installation and working with the University of Michigan to realize the benefits we believe our system can provide now and in the future."

About McKesson

McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 18th on the FORTUNE 500, is a healthcare services and healthcare information technology company dedicated to helping its customers deliver high-quality healthcare by reducing costs, streamlining processes, and improving the quality and safety of patient care. McKesson is the longest-operating company in healthcare today, marking its 175th anniversary this year. Over the course of its history, McKesson has grown by providing pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management across the spectrum of care; healthcare information technology for hospitals, physicians, homecare and payors; hospital and retail pharmacy automation; and services for manufacturers and payors designed to improve outcomes for patients. For more information, visit http://www.mckesson.com.