Sierra Wireless And Bell Atlantic Mobile Provide Nurses With Wireless Access To Improve Patient Care

Sierra Wireless And Bell Atlantic Mobile Provide Nurses With Wireless Access To Improve Patient Care

October 8, 1998

Vancouver, BC -- The Medical Center at Princeton, New Jersey, is one of
the first health care organizations in the United States to use wireless
technology to provide real-time access to patient records during home
visits, thanks to wireless modems from Sierra Wireless and wireless service
from Bell Atlantic Mobile.

More than eighty visiting nurses and therapists are supplied with portable
notebook computers equipped with Sierra Wireless' AirCard® wireless
modems and Bell Atlantic Mobile's AirBridge® wireless data service. The
wireless system links the nurses' portable notebook computers directly to
the Center's patient database, giving them the ability to access a patient's
electronic record, medical history and prescription records, file progress
reports, and communicate with doctors real-time, directly from the
patient's home.

This wireless system benefits both the nurses and the patients. Immediate
access to previous detailed records makes it easier for nurses to understand
a patient's medical history and to provide continuity of care. Nurses can
now file their patient reports immediately, resulting in prompt report filing
and decreased paperwork. Receiving timely and relevant patient
information can assist doctors in better analyzing the patient condition as
doctors may change treatments or subscriptions based on updated
information concerning the patient's progress. Prior to this wireless
solution, it could take up to several days for doctors to receive these
updates via the traditional mailing of reports.

"Our primary focus is delivering quality healthcare services," said Lucy
Molfedas, Director at Medical Center at Princeton. "Sierra Wireless and
Bell Atlantic Mobile have provided an effective wireless solution that
allows our nurses and staff to better manage patient records and ultimately
better serve our patients."

"We so often talk about the benefits of wireless data from a business
productivity standpoint - how companies can do business better, faster,
and smarter," said Bill Davidson, Vice President-Wireless Data Sales and
Marketing, Bell Atlantic Mobile. "With this application, we are bringing
the benefits of wireless data directly to the patients who will enjoy better
quality care from efficient, well-informed healthcare providers."

"It is gratifying to see our products deliver real patient benefits and
healthcare productivity" said Andrew Harries, Vice President of Marketing,
Sierra Wireless. "The AirCard is widely used government and industry
where wireless data has a profound and positive impact on the way people
work. The Medical Center at Princeton application is a clear example of
wireless data's broadening appeal."

About the AirCard

The AirCard is the first Type II PC Card set to offer circuit switched
cellular and Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) functionality without
bulky extensions and extra batteries. It connects your notebook directly to
the Internet/Intranet and enterprise email.

CDPD, commonly known as Wireless IP, is the fastest wide area wireless
service available with transmission speeds of 19.2 kbps and a high level of
security using RSA encryption. CDPD coverage is available in over 200
markets with services offered major cellular operators. CDPD also enjoys a
growing presence in Canada, Latin America, Asia and the South Pacific.

About Sierra Wireless

Sierra Wireless is a leading wireless data communications equipment
company. The leader in cellular data subscriber products, Sierra Wireless
delivers a broad product range including PC Cards for portable computers,
ruggedized vehicle-mounted modems, OEM modules for embedded
applications, telemetry modems and software tools and utilities. For more
information on Sierra Wireless product line visit the company's web site at
www.sierrawireless.com or telephone (604) 231-1100.

About Princeton Medical Center

The Medical Center at Princeton is a 450-bed, nonprofit, teaching,
community medical center. Five different units combine to form the
Medical Center at Princeton: Princeton Hospital; Princeton House
(psychiatric and addictions treatment); Merwick sub-acute care and
rehabilitation facility; the Home Care department, which includes Hospice,
and the Princeton Surgical Center, which provides same-day surgery
services. The Medical Center recently received Accreditation with
Commendation from the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of
Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). This is the highest level of
accreditation awarded by the Commission, and it is achieved by only 15
percent of hospitals in the United States. For more information, contact
Carol Norris, (609) 497-4194

About Bell Atlantic Mobile

Bell Atlantic Mobile owns and operates the largest wireless network in the
East, covering 112,000 square miles, and the largest chain of retail outlets
devoted exclusively to wireless voice, data and paging. Based in
Bedminster, NJ, Bell Atlantic Mobile has 5.7 million customers and 7,000
employees from Maine to Georgia and, through a separate subsidiary, in
the Southwest. Through its "Wireless at Work..." community service
program, the company uses its technology to help individuals and
communities improve security and emergency communications. Bell
Atlantic Mobile's parent is one of the world's largest wireless
communications companies, with domestic operations in 25 states and
international investments in Mexico, Europe and the Pacific Rim. For more
information on Bell Atlantic Mobile visit: www.bam.com; for global
operations visit: www.bellatlantic.com/worldwide.
AirCard® is a registered trademark of Sierra Wireless.
AirBridge® is a registered trademark of Bell Atlantic Mobile.