Acadian Ambulance Selects Fujitsu’s Stylistic 1200 for Use Throughout Louisiana
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — July 8, 1998 — Pen Tablet Solution Cures Paperwork Dilemma for One of Nation's Largest Emergency Medical Service Providers
Fujitsu Personal Systems, Inc. (FPSI) today announced that Acadian Ambulance, one of the largest privately held ambulance services in the United States, is implementing Fujitsu's Stylistic 1200(TM) pen tablet computers throughout its organization.
Acadian's Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) use the Stylistic 1200 to record all medical and billing data for patients transported by its ambulances and helicopters that operate throughout Louisiana, including service to offshore oil platforms. The rollout started in April and full installation is expected by year-end.
The pen tablet computers are equipped with PadSTAT(TM), a patient care reporting system developed by PAD Systems, an FPSI certified value-added reseller (VAR). With this new mobile computing system solution, EMTs can quickly and accurately enter information into the pen tablet while moving inside a vehicle or around a patient.
Expected results of the automated system include the elimination of most paper documents, higher collections and shorter billing cycles. Because data is entered directly into the pen computers, legal and financial liabilities for lost, illegible, inaccurate or incomplete reports are being sharply reduced. Acadian can now re-deploy its business office personnel from data input, verification and records management into more productive areas.
"There are other economic benefits to this system that are less quantifiable, but which will become increasingly important," commented John Zuschlag, senior vice president of communications and information systems at Acadian.
"As the healthcare system in the U.S. becomes more cost-conscious, emergency medical service providers must become much better informed about the cost of their operations. The trend throughout the entire healthcare industry is to provide the best care at the lowest cost. To do this, much analysis must be done on patient care procedures and their respective outcomes."
"Acadian Ambulance is a prime example of an environment that requires Working Mobility(TM), the power to instantly access decision-support information regardless of one's location," commented Geoff Walker, vice president of marketing at Fujitsu Personal Systems.
"Because EMTs are accustomed to filling out forms, a pen-based software application of easy-to-use, pull-down menus and pre-configured selections was a natural fit."
By year-end, 200 ambulances, helicopters and offshore oil platforms will be equipped with Stylistic pen computers loaded with PadSTAT software.
About Acadian Ambulance
Acadian Ambulance is one of 54 ambulance services in the country that has received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services. Acadian has been providing emergency and non-emergency medical services to the people of Louisiana for 26 years. The company now serves over 51 percent of the State of Louisiana with 2.2 million residents in 33 parishes. For more information, visit Acadian's Web site at www.acadian.com.
About PAD Systems
Atlanta-based PAD Systems focuses exclusively on developing and implementing field force automation solutions. The corporate vision and strategy is to provide product leadership in the "last frontier" of computing — extending the benefits of computer technology from the office out to the worker in the field. PAD Systems is a leader in providing easy-to-use, intuitive solutions for the mobile worker. For an introduction to the company's software and other services please call 404/816-0000 or visit www.padsystems.com.
About Fujitsu Personal Systems
Fujitsu Personal Systems Inc. (FPSI) is the undisputed leader in the Windows pen tablet market. The company's mission is to extend the benefits of Working Mobility(TM) to the broadest possible base of workers. FPSI focuses on mobile decision support applications for large organizations and government institutions, and is supported by a worldwide network of certified VARs and system integrators. FPSI's state-of-the-art pen tablet PCs feature advanced CPU performance, extensive connectivity options and long battery life in compact, lightweight form-factors.
Fujitsu Personal Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Limited, a leading information technology provider with global revenues of $ 37.7 billion. FPSI (408/982-9500) has headquarters in Santa Clara, and offices throughout North America and Europe. For more information please call 800/831-3183 or visit www.fpsi.fujitsu.com.
Note to Editors: Fujitsu is a registered trademark of Fujitsu Ltd. Stylistic 1200 and Working Mobility are trademarks of Fujitsu Personal Systems Inc. Other company or product names have been used for identification purposes only and may be the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
CONTACT:
Fujitsu Personal Systems Inc.
Tom Bayens, 408/982-9500
thomas_bayens@fpsi.fujitsu.com
or
Sterling Communications Inc.
Alice Aoki, 408/441-4100
aya@sterlingpr.com