LINKOPING, Sweden, Aug. 22, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Swedish IT and medical technology company Sectra has signed an agreement with the private healthcare provider Medicinsk Rontgen AB regarding delivery of Sectra's digital radiology systems. The agreement covers the digitization of Medicinsk Rontgen's complete operations in Stockholm, Malmo and Vasteras, Sweden, and Medicinsk Rontgen will pay per examination over eight years. The order value is estimated to US $400,000-800,000 per year.
Medicinsk Rontgen AB runs one of Sweden's largest private radiology operations. The company performs approximately 360.000 radiology examinations yearly, in 13 departments located in Stockholm, Skane (southern Sweden) and Vastmanland. The radiology operations are now to be digitized, and Sectra has been chosen as supplier of both the radiology information system (RIS) and the picture archiving and communication system (PACS) for all radiology departments within the company.
"Digitization of our operations gives us the possibility to increase both service and quality to our customers", said Ingemo Wallgren, managing director of Medicinsk Rontgen. "Connecting our departments with common administrative systems increases our efficiency. Furthermore, our customers will benefit from simplified request-routines, and this strengthens our competitiveness on the market. We chose Sectra as supplier after a thorough evaluation, where Sectra proved to be the supplier that best could meet our requirements on cost effectiveness and system functionality."
"The market for private radiology clinics is very important internationally. The confidence to digitize the operations of Medicinsk Rontgen gives us an important reference on our home market," said Torbjorn Kronander, president of Sectra Imtec AB.
Sectra is one of today's major PACS providers with more than 250 PACS installations worldwide. The Swedish based company operates through partners in most of the world, but delivers directly to end customers in Northern Europe. The core business is to deliver top-of-the-line high- availability, robust enterprise PACS for 24/7 operation. In Sweden, which is currently the country with the largest penetration of PACS in the world, Sectra holds a dominant market leadership with more than 60% of all film free installations. The company has its largest number of installed systems in Sweden and the U.S. (through partners), but has also an installed base in Germany, Norway, Finland, UK, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands and the Far East.
Medicinsk Rontgen AB Medicinsk Rontgen AB has ten radiology departments in Stockholm County and answers for approximately 23% of all radiology examinations within the county. In Region Skane there are two departments.
Medicinsk Rontgen is also responsible for reviewing of mammography images and the mammography screening programs in Malmo and Lund.
Medicinsk Rontgen is one of 15 companies included in the Prolivia group. These companies form private alternatives on markets that otherwise are dominated by public service. Turnover of the Prolivia group increases steadily and is estimated to amount to approximately US $200 M. A total of 6000 employees work for the group all over Sweden.
Sectra's operations
Sectra has its roots in Linkoping Technical University and is one of Sweden's fastest growing high-tech companies in the IT area. Since the mid-1980s, Sectra has successfully conducted development and sales of high-technology medical IT and telecommunications products. Today, the business includes products in medical systems, secure communication systems and wireless information systems.
Sectra's medical business is conducted in Sectra Imtec AB, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sectra AB. Internationally, Sectra PACS is marketed and sold through different partners.
Business is conducted in six countries with a total of 250 employees. Sales for the fiscal year May 2001-April 2002 reached SEK 426 million. Since March 1999, Sectra's shares have been quoted on the O list of the Stockholm Exchange.
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