ATLANTA, Oct. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hospira, Inc. today launched the SEDLine brain-function monitoring system at the American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) 2005 Annual Meeting. The SEDLine is a next-generation brain-function monitor that aids in evaluating the effects of anesthesia and sedation, which can minimize the potential for under- or over-medicating a patient. More efficient medication management can help contribute to a reduction in side effects, and assist with speeding a patient’s recovery and hospital discharge. SEDLine features an improved ergonomic design, an enhanced user-interface and Hospira’s unique four-channel sensor that assesses brain activity from multiple inputs and provides a more sensitive measurement of the effects of anesthesia and sedation on the patient.
According to the ASA, an estimated 40 million anesthetics are administered each year in the United States. SEDLine is an easy-to-use brain-function monitor, or EEG (electroencephalogram), that measures the effects of anesthesia and sedation by analyzing a patient’s brain activity during medical procedures. Using a four-channel sensor placed on the patient’s forehead and temple area, SEDLine monitors multiple parts of the brain to compute a proprietary measurement -- called the Patient State Index, or PSI. The PSI numeric value is used with other measurement devices to help clinicians evaluate a patient’s response to anesthesia and sedation, thereby enabling the caregiver to more precisely administer the appropriate medication dose.
SEDLine helps clinicians more broadly understand the brain’s response to anesthesia, making it a valuable adjunct to traditional anesthetic and sedation-monitoring methods. The product technology enables clinicians to more closely titrate anesthetic and sedative agents, which can assist in minimizing the potential risk of under-medicating, and the more common occurrence of over-medicating, a patient. Patients who receive too much anesthesia or sedation therapy can have slower wake-up times and longer recovery periods, and require extended hospitals stays. The product may also help reduce the incidence of patient awareness during surgical procedures.
“With its enhanced features, improved design and ability to provide a real-time measurement of a patient’s response to anesthesia and sedation, SEDLine is a complement to other Hospira decision-support tools that are already assisting clinicians in improving patient safety and hospital productivity,” said Patrick Moran, general manager, Anesthesia and Critical Care Devices, Hospira.
The SEDLine introduction is the first product launch from Hospira’s July 2005 acquisition of Physiometrix, Inc. The monitor is currently in use at some of the world’s leading healthcare institutions.
“Using SEDLine has resulted in improved patient management and post- surgical recovery, by enabling us to more tightly control the anesthetic and better assess patient variables,” said Michael A.E. Ramsay, M.D., F.R.C.A., chairman, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management, Baylor Health Care System; and president, Baylor Research Institute. “Based on our experience thus far, brain-function monitoring should move rapidly towards becoming a standard of care.”
Hospira has initiated studies to confirm preliminary data regarding the differentiating features of SEDLine versus other brain-function monitoring devices. The company also is initiating clinical trials to verify the benefits of SEDLine in higher-risk surgical procedures. With its unique features and network-interface capabilities, the SEDLine platform offers opportunities for additional enhancements and functionality, including the potential for a wireless device and linkage to hospital information technology (IT) networks.
To learn more about the SEDLine and to view a demonstration of the product, please visit Hospira (booth # 919) at the ASA meeting through Oct. 25.
About Hospira
Hospira, Inc. is a global specialty pharmaceutical and medication delivery company dedicated to Advancing Wellness(TM) by developing, manufacturing and marketing products that help improve the productivity, safety and efficacy of patient care. With 70 years of service to the hospital industry, Hospira’s portfolio includes one of the industry’s broadest lines of generic acute-care injectables, which help address the high cost of proprietary pharmaceuticals; integrated solutions for medication management and infusion therapy; and the leading U.S. injectable contract manufacturing business. Headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., north of Chicago, Hospira has approximately 13,000 employees and 14 manufacturing facilities worldwide. Hospira’s news releases and other information can be found at www.hospira.com.
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 -- A Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Some statements in this news release may be forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Hospira cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect Hospira’s operations and may cause actual results to be materially different from expectations include the risks and uncertainties set forth under the heading “Item 1 Business -- Risk Factors” in Hospira’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2004, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are incorporated by reference. Hospira undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as the result of subsequent events or developments.
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CONTACT: Media, Tareta Adams, +1-224-212-2535, or Shannon Gore,+1-224-212-2003, or Financial Community, Lynn McHugh, +1-224-212-2363, allof Hospira, Inc.
Web site: http://www.hospira.com/