Integration of St. Jude Medical network and Microsoft HealthVault
will enable patients to easily share cardiac device data with
physicians
ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 2, 2008--St. Jude Medical,
Inc. (NYSE:STJ) today announced a partnership with the Microsoft Corp.
Health Solutions Group to research the integration of data from
implantable devices with patient-controlled, personal health records.
St. Jude Medical and Microsoft will work with physicians to determine
the optimal level of integration (between the Merlin.net(TM) Patient
Care Network and Microsoft(R) HealthVault) that will allow physicians
to efficiently and confidentially share device information with their
patients.
Merlin.net PCN is a secure Internet-based system that collects and
displays information from implantable devices, such as implantable
cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). It stores data that is captured
during implant procedures, in-office follow-up visits with physicians
and remote follow-up transmissions in patients' homes. Transmitted
data includes reports of irregular heart rhythms and real-time
electrograms (EGM) which show patients' heartbeats at the time of
transmission.
The entire Merlin.net PCN system, from user access to data
storage, meets the standards of reliability, privacy and security
established by regulatory requirements and by the International
Quality Certification Standards. All network communications that occur
on Merlin.net PCN are encrypted with the highest level of protection
using industry standard cryptography.
Microsoft HealthVault is an Internet-based consumer health record
system that allows individuals to collect, store and share their
health information privately and securely. Created in cooperation with
leading privacy advocates (including the Patient Privacy Rights
Foundation), respected security experts and dozens of the world's
leading healthcare organizations, HealthVault was designed to provide
people with a secure way to efficiently store and access their
personal medical records.
"This partnership between two industry leaders will give patients
and physicians easier access to health records during clinical care,"
said George J. Fazio, president of the St. Jude Medical U.S. Division.
"A centralized, highly secure database with implanted device data, and
additional relevant patient information, will allow patients and their
physicians to more efficiently manage cardiac conditions."
Microsoft's use of strong privacy principles, including the
principles of the bipartisan Coalition for Patient Privacy, its
ongoing relationship with consumer advocates and its commitment to
independent third-party audits, sets a new standard for privacy
protections in health information technology.
"Consumers are asking for tools that make their lives easier by
facilitating communication and helping them take steps to manage their
health," said Peter Neupert, corporate vice president, Microsoft
Health Solutions Group. "Through the integration of the St. Jude
Medical Merlin.net PCN application and Microsoft HealthVault, patients
will be able to share more complete health information with their
doctors, privately and securely."
About Merlin.Net Patient Care Network (PCN)
Implantable cardiac devices are designed to capture and record
vast amounts of information about device performance and patient heart
rhythms that is vital to patient care. Merlin.net PCN not only stores
this information for physician access, but also allows data to be sent
directly to a clinic's or hospital's electronic health records (EHR)
system so the data is included in the patient's comprehensive personal
health record. With immediate access to patient information through
the secure Merlin.net PCN website, physicians can monitor and assess
patient device data and determine the level of care needed remotely.
The Merlin.net PCN system adheres to the patient privacy standards
and requirements for the electronic transmission of health
information, as set forth by the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and will be the platform for future
St. Jude Medical device remote monitoring.
About St. Jude Medical
St. Jude Medical is dedicated to making life better for cardiac,
neurological and chronic pain patients worldwide through excellence in
medical device technology and services. The Company has five major
focus areas that include: cardiac rhythm management, atrial
fibrillation, cardiac surgery, cardiology and neuromodulation.
Headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., St. Jude Medical employs more than
12,000 people worldwide. For more information, please visit
www.sjm.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that
involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements
include the expectations, plans and prospects for the Company,
including potential clinical successes, anticipated regulatory
approvals and future product launches, and projected revenues,
margins, earnings, and market shares. The statements made by the
Company are based upon management's current expectations and are
subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those described in the
forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include
market conditions and other factors beyond the Company's control and
the risk factors and other cautionary statements described in the
Company's filings with the SEC, including those described in the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 27, 2008 (see
Item 1A on pages 13-20, and page 20 of Exhibit 13 to the Company's
Form 10-K). The Company does not intend to update these statements and
undertakes no duty to any person to provide any such update under any
circumstance.
CONTACT: St. Jude Medical
Investor Relations
Angela Craig, 651-481-7789
or
Media Relations
Kathleen Janasz, 651-415-7042
SOURCE: St. Jude Medical, Inc.
