TAMPA, Fla., Dec. 13, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Southwestern Medical Solutions, Inc. (Pink Sheets:SWNM) is pleased to announce that, in addition to the Protect-A-Pal(tm) being used as an effective and economic safety device for syringes, hypodermic needles, and intravenous needles - a market measured in the billions of dollars - it is also proceeding to adapt the patented technology for use as a high-safety protective device to be used on surgical suture needle devices.
Addressing A Critical Need
Needle stick injuries pose a very serious threat to an estimated 5.6 million workers (OSHA estimate) in the healthcare industry and related occupations. This threat is nothing less than the risk of exposure to a wide variety of blood-borne pathogens, including Hepatitis B virus, HIV, Hepatitis C, Herpes, and many other deadly blood-borne illnesses. The International Health Care Work Safety Center has stated that suture needle sticks are the most common 'sharps injuries' among medical students and residents. Southwestern Medical's suture needle safety device will allow the physician the same mobility, flexibility and maneuverability as currently available systems, but also offers a level of safety not available today.
Market Potential
Currently in the design/prototype phase, this potentially life-saving safety device is expected to meet with a universally positive reception by the physicians and healthcare workers who use literally hundreds of thousands of suture needles each and every day. This suture safety device represents an exciting addition to the Company's emerging needle-safety product line, which also includes Protect-A-Pal safety devices for syringes, intravenous needles, and hypodermic needles, and which addresses a critically important need for higher safety in the billion-dollar healthcare needle market. Concurrent with the development, testing and outsourcing of the safer, more affordable, and patented Protect-A-Pal(tm) needle-safety devices in the months ahead, Southwestern Medical Solutions Inc. will also be devising marketing strategies in preparation for ultimate product launch.
Southwestern Medical Has The Solution - The Company's proprietary Labguard system of on-site collection & diagnostic testing technology represents a revolutionary approach that ensures greater safety and convenience for diagnostic testing administrators at an attractive, market-competitive price. Currently in the final prototype stage, Labguard has already attracted expressions of strong interest from several major medical-device distribution companies, both in the U.S. and abroad. Management believes that the launch of Southwestern Medical Solutions' promising Labguard system will usher in the second generation of on-site collection and analysis technology. The recently acquired proprietary Protect-A-Pal(tm) needle-safety technology represents a second primary avenue for SWMS's corporate growth in the years ahead.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Please Contact: Richard Powell Southwestern Medical Solutions, Inc. Phone: 1-877-576-0936 E-Mail: SWML@ureach.com Corporate Address: 13014 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa, FL. 33618 Website: www.swmsinc.com
The statements made in this press release, which are not historical facts, contain forward-looking statements concerning potential developments affecting the business, prospects, financial conditions and other aspects of the company to which this release pertains. The actual results of the specific items described in the release, and the company's operations generally, may differ materially from what is projected in such forward- looking statements. Although such statements are based upon the best judgments of management of the company as of the date of this release, significant deviations in magnitude, timing and other factors may result from business risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, the company's dependence on third parties, general market and economic conditions, technical factors, the availability of outside capital, receipt of revenues and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the he company disclaims any obligation to update information contained in any forward-looking statement.