LOS ANGELES, March 18, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CompuMed, Inc. (OTCQB:CMPD) ( http://www.compumed.net ), a telemedicine and medical informatics company providing ECG products and services for the clinical sector, now offers readings of echocardiograms, including 2D and 3D Doppler echocardiograms and transesophageal echocardiograms (TEE). Echocardiography is a procedure used throughout cardiovascular care, but the complexities of reading echograms, especially the latest generation Doppler echocardiograms, demand a high degree of specialized skills not always available on a routine basis. The new service is designed to provide critical support to rural hospitals as well as after-hour and over capacity help to general hospitals by having qualified specialists available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Maurizio Vecchione, CompuMed's CEO, announced the new service saying, "Echocardiograms are increasingly complex and play a critical role in cardiovascular care. Yet, hospitals are reporting a shortage of cardiologists available to read the tests at night, on the weekends or in rural locations." He added that CompuMed has an existing infrastructure of cardiologists to read the tests regardless of where they occur. CompuMed does not require that a hospital acquire any new hardware or technology infrastructure.
Mr. Vecchione said, "Our digital workflow technology allows our nationwide network of cardiologists to receive echocardiograms from any client hospital. We use the hospital's existing imaging infrastructure, and CompuMed's physicians provide over-reads directly to the hospital's existing patient information system." He added that CompuMed is in full compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other applicable standards.
David Frish, MD, FAAC, CompuMed's medical director, said, "Echocardiograms are complex and require specialized training to interpret. Our echocardiographic team is world class, made up of board certified cardiologists with a special accreditation in echocardiography. One of the founding fathers of echocardiography is on our team. This lowers risk for our clients while improving patient care."
Unique to CompuMed's new echocardiogram capability is the option to obtain interpretations on a STAT basis. Interpretations can be provided in as little as 60 minutes. The service is priced competitively. Mr. Vecchione added, "Providing these services at Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) rates is extremely cost-effective for a hospital and does not interfere with its ability to pursue full reimbursements for the procedure."
In connection with the announcement, a new website was unveiled at . Mr. Vecchione said, "Our new site employs web 2.0 technologies and incorporates social networking elements to broaden interaction with our stakeholders. Building communities is increasingly important, and this platform allows us to communicate with patients, providers and physicians in a timely fashion."
Mr. Vecchione pointed out that the website will be used as an interactive tool to reach, engage and share the telemedicine revolution with stakeholders. The community building tools reach existing customers while targeting and engaging new customers. Finally, it will provide a forum for critical information and training.
The site features rich media, video, membership tools and a growing set of capabilities designed for enhanced communications, such as a new WebTalkRadio functionality that will be used to provide multimedia information.
About CompuMed:
CompuMed, Inc. (OTCQB:CMPD) develops and markets products and services that combine advanced imaging with medical informatics. Its focus is on analysis and remote monitoring for patients with cardiovascular and musculoskeletal diseases. The company has specialized expertise and intellectual property in telemonitoring imaging and analysis designed to improve healthcare provider workflow and patient care while reducing costs. CompuMed is headquartered in Los Angeles and distributes its products worldwide both directly and through OEM partners. Visit CompuMed at and follow on Twitter @compumed and on Facebook at CompuMed Inc.
Forward Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts, such as statements about prospective earnings, savings, revenue, operations, revenue and earnings growth, results of contracts and other financial results, are forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All such forward-looking statements including statements concerning the Company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions are based largely on management's expectations and are subject to and qualified by risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, without limitation, competitive factors, outsourcing trends in the pharmaceutical industry, product and service demand and acceptance, changes in technology, ability to raise capital, the availability of appropriate acquisition candidates and/or business partnerships, economic conditions, the impact of competition and pricing, capacity and supply constraints or difficulties, government regulation and other risks identified in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its Annual Report on Form 10-KSB and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-QSB. All such forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based after the date hereof, except as required by law.
CONTACT: Press Contact: Susan Tellem Tellem Worldwide +1 310-313-3444 stellem@tellem.com