Sharp HealthCare Chooses Compaq Services, Equipment for Systemwide Upgrades
2-Year, Multi-Million Dollar Program Enables New Capabilities, Process
Improvements, and Lower Costs
HOUSTON and SAN DIEGO, March 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sharp HealthCare
-- one of the "100 Most Wired" U.S. healthcare systems by Hospitals and Health
Networks magazine for the third consecutive year in 2001 and the top ranked
health system in California for the fourth consecutive year according to
Modern Healthcare magazine -- chose services and products from Compaq Computer
Corporation (NYSE: CPQ) to expand and update Sharp HealthCare's information
technology (IT) infrastructure and user access devices.
Projects include adding server capacity for Sharp HealthCare's clinical
information system, conversion of messaging and collaboration systems to
Exchange 2000, data storage system enhancements (including both StorageWorks
and SAN systems), desktop computers, and wireless communications supporting
mobile applications for physicians and other patient care professionals.
"Sharp is San Diego's healthcare leader. Our fundamental goal is to
exceed patient expectations and make the overall healthcare experience for
patients, physicians, nurses and support staff nothing less than exceptional.
And, we are only successful if this experience is provided in a convenient,
cost-effective and accessible manner," said Sharp HealthCare senior vice
president and CIO William A. Spooner. "Compaq is helping us make significant
improvements to our data infrastructure -- and improved access to our systems
-- which will pay off for our patients in smoother processes, improved
efficiency, and a better ability to control our costs. What has truly
impressed us is our Compaq team's dedication to finding and proving quality,
effective technical solutions quickly and delivering on their promises."
Sharp HealthCare is an integrated healthcare delivery system operating
four acute care hospitals, three specialty hospitals, three medical groups,
nursing facilities and a variety of other community health education programs
and related services throughout the San Diego region of Southern California.
"Compaq is grateful to have as highly recognized a customer as Sharp
HealthCare bring our relationship to even higher levels with this kind of end-
to-end, enterprise partnership," said Jim Milton, Compaq senior vice president
and North America general manager.
"Sharp HealthCare inspires us to do our best work, whether finding the
best solution for their challenges or turning around a proof of concept unit
-- loaded with Sharp's software image, tagged, and custom labeled -- within a
single day," added Milton.
Compaq Himalaya servers running NonStop SQL will be the foundation for
Sharp's electronic medical record. Sharp is working with IDX Systems
Corporation to implement its LastWord clinical repository and physician order
entry system on the Himalaya platform. Also, Compaq AlphaServer systems are
enhancing Sharp's core IT systems, running with IDXtend(R), an integrated,
enterprise-wide, web-based business performance solution. This effort also
includes installation of StorageWorks consolidated disk systems and Storage
Area Network (SAN) technology. Compaq also provides services, a network of
industry standard Compaq ProLiant servers, and StorageWorks equipment to
migrate Sharp HealthCare's messaging system to Exchange 2000.
Capping several major initiatives, Sharp HealthCare opted for Compaq
standards on desktop computers and monitors throughout their facilities. Each
of these platforms is configured, custom labeled, and asset tagged prior to
delivery for tracking in the healthcare provider's inventory management
system. This enables fast, low cost wireless-based inventory management the
moment Compaq systems arrive at Sharp HealthCare facilities. All of Sharp
HealthCare's Intel-based computers and servers are configured, tagged, and
delivered from the Compaq Direct facility in Ontario, CA.
In addition to implementation of Compaq Storage Area Network (SAN)
solutions, Sharp HealthCare also relies on Compaq Global Services for support
of all servers -- Himalaya, AlphaServer, and ProLiant industry standard
servers -- as well as StorageWorks and other IT equipment in the healthcare
provider's facilities. The total value of projects described above is
estimated at more than $10 million over two years.
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