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Elekta Signs Exclusive Five-Year Contract With Providence Health System

Posted on: Monday, 26 September 2005, 03:01 CDT

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Sept. 26, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Elekta's leading-edge radiation oncology and neurosurgical products have been selected by Providence Health System, which operates 18 acute care facilities in four U.S. states. The health system has signed an exclusive, five-year provider contract with Elekta, initially covering 13-15 linear accelerator systems.

"Providence used several selection criteria in choosing the Elekta products," according to David Hunter, System Director of Supply Chain Management at Providence. "Among them reliability, scope of products, service and reputation, and value-added enhancements. Elekta listened to our needs and demonstrated a commitment. We are pleased to offer our communities the most technologically advanced neurosurgery and radiation oncology solutions that are both effective and gentle to the patient."

Elekta's unique experience in image guidance and stereotactic applications in radiation treatment reaches back more than 30 years. On the basis of this experience and recent innovation, Elekta leads the development of new, advanced methods for ultra-precise radiation treatments.

"We are thrilled that a health system of Providence's standing has awarded Elekta an exclusive contract for these vital systems," said Anthony De Carolis, CEO of Elekta, Inc. and head of Elekta operations in North America. "After their experience with other manufacturers, Providence has decided Elekta can meet both the clinical and business requirements of their quality-focused health delivery facilities."

Elekta's radiation oncology and stereotactic radiosurgery solutions are readily available to 80 percent of acute care hospitals that report providing radiation therapy, thanks to contracts with several of the nation's largest healthcare group purchasing organizations (GPOs).

About Providence Health System

Providence Health System extends its mission of caring and commitment across a four-state area - Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and California. A comprehensive array of services is available to meet the varied needs of communities. These include acute and primary care, outpatient services, transitional care, home and hospice care, substance abuse programs, mental health treatment, comprehensive outreach programs including prevention and wellness, long term care, assisted living, and housing.

Providence Health System operates 17 acute care hospitals, 12 freestanding long term care facilities, and 19 low income and assisted living facilities. The system also works closely with its network of physician organizations and sponsors health plans covering more than 853,000 members and other eligible lives in Oregon and southwest Washington.

The health system's four statewide regions are further divided into service areas, with nearly 34,000 employees serving within their respective geographic locations. The system office is located in Seattle, Washington.

About Elekta

Elekta is an international medical-technology Group, providing meaningful clinical solutions, comprehensive information systems and services for improved cancer care and management of brain disorders. All of Elekta's solutions employ non-invasive or minimally invasive techniques and are therefore clinically effective, gentle on the patient and cost-effective.

Clinical solutions include among others Leksell Gamma Knife(R) for non-invasive treatment of brain surgery and Elekta Synergy(R) for image guided radiation therapy (IGRT). Following the acquisition of IMPAC Medical Systems Inc. in April 2005, The Elekta Group is the world's largest supplier of oncology software.

Elekta's systems and solutions are used at over 3,000 hospitals around the world to treat cancer and manage clinical operations as well as to diagnose and treat brain disorders, including tumors, vascular malformations and functional disorders.

With approx. 1700 employees, Elekta's corporate headquarter is located in Stockholm, Sweden and the company is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange under the ticker EKTAb.

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http://wpy.waymaker.net/client/waymaker1/WOLReleaseFile.aspx?id=133800&fn=wkr0001.pdf

CONTACT: International: Peter Ejemyr Group VP Corporate Communications, Elekta AB Tel: +46 733 611 000 e-mail: peter.ejemyr@elekta.com

US: Lars Jonsteg VP Investor Relations North America, Elekta, USA Tel: +46 708 78 37 35 e-mail: lars.jonsteg@elekta.com

Copyright © 2005 PrimeZone Media Network, Inc.

Source: PrimeZone Media Network

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