Medibank Announces Assistance Plan For Bushfire Victims

Medibank Announces Assistance Plan For Bushfire Victims

The devastation caused by the Victorian bushfires this week has affected many Australians. Many employees have expressed desire to assist and want to know what Medibank is doing to help affected people.

Melbourne, VIC (PRWEB) February 27, 2009 -- The devastation caused by the Victorian bushfires this week has affected many Australians. Many employees have expressed desire to assist and want to know what Medibank is doing to help affected people. Below is a summary of our response:

Waiving of Premiums for Members Affected by the Bushfire

As the largest health insurance (http://www.medibank.com.au/) fund in Victoria, many of those without homes are Medibank members. Medibank has announced earlier today that premiums for these memberships will be waived for the remainder of the 2008-2009 financial year. Our frontline staff have additional instructions to handle member inquiries.

$100,000 Donation to The Salvation Army Bushfire Appeal

As many of you would be aware, Medibank has also donated $100,000 to The Salvation Army Bushfire Appeal to further assist those in need. The Salvation Army is very grateful for this donation and also thank the many Medibank staff who have also individually donated to the appeal.

Blood Donations Booked at Telstra Dome Next Week

Medibank Community has organised 60 blood donation appointments through The Australian Red Cross in Victoria scheduled to take place early next week. With this increased number of donations our staff may be able to save up to 180 lives. More blood drives are being organised for Medibank in coming weeks to continue assisting victims and others requiring ongoing treatment.

The Microwave Fundraiser

Medibank Community has joined forces with Wesley Mission (a charitable organisation) to raise $4000 to provide microwaves for families so they may be able to enjoy a 'hot' meal. Our target at Medibank is to raise $4000, this will provide up to 20 microwaves for families. The microwave fundraising drive will take place from today through to close of business Tuesday 17 February. If you would like to contribute a donation please email Medibank Community with your name, donation pledge to this appeal, and whether you will require a receipt.

Volunteering

Volunteering has been scheduled to take place in Melbourne CBD each day next week to fundraise donations from the general public through The Salvation Army Bushfire Appeal. Thank you to all the staff who have kindly offered to tin rattle.

Interstate Fundraising

Medibank staff interstate have also contacted Medibank Community to provide aid to the Victoria bushfire victims. Our WA, SA and NT staff will be collecting gold coin donations in their Retail Centres tomorrow and QLD head office staff are currently fundraising to also support the bushfire appeal.

Gift Matching

Medibank will also match $1 for $1 any employee donation as per our policy to any bushfire appeal conducted by a registered charity (see our Gift Matching policy on Molly for details). Medibank Community is currently matching more than $4000 in individual donations and if you would like to donate but are not sure how, donations can be made online via:

Salvation Army Bushfire Relief Appeal: www.salvos.org.au

Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal: www.redcross.org.au

Medibank Community would like to thank everyone for their enormous generosity and support.

About Medibank Private:

Medibank Private is the largest Australian-owned provider of private health insurance (http://www.medibank.com.au/Health-Covers/About-Health-Insurance.aspx) covering more than three million people. Medibank Private offers health insurance (http://www.medibank.com.au/Health-Covers.aspx) to all Australians through retail and corporate products, as well as catering for overseas students and visitors.

Medibank Private has a 'Members Choice' network of contracted health providers consisting of over 449 private hospitals and day surgeries and 4,038 ancillary providers nationally. It has approximately 1,500 staff and 105 retail centres nationally, and a national call centre.

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Contact Information Nick Aridas

Medibank Private Health Insurance

http://www.medibank.com.au/

+613-8622-5132

Preparing for the Next Disaster: Dialysis Community Briefs Hill About Emergency Response

Preparing for the Next Disaster: Dialysis Community Briefs Hill About Emergency Response

"Dialysis patients represent one of the most at risk segments of the population during a natural disaster," said Bill Numbers, Vice President of Operations Support and Incident Commander for Disaster Planning and Response at Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA).

Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) February 26, 2009 -- "Dialysis patients represent one of the most at risk segments of the population during a natural disaster," said Bill Numbers, Vice President of Operations Support and Incident Commander for Disaster Planning and Response at Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA). Numbers was in Washington to speak with an audience of congressional staffers focused on safeguarding the lives of dialysis patients in a natural disaster. The event, said Numbers, should remind everyone that "we always need to be ready and we must constantly work to be better prepared."

The briefing organized by the Kidney Community Emergency Response Coalition (www.KCERcoalition.com) and Fresenius Medical Care (www.ultracare-dialysis.com) looked at the problem of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) as well as ongoing emergency response and recovery efforts. With CKD rates skyrocketing, Chief Medical Officer and Senior Executive VP for FMCNA, Dr. Michael Lazarus explained that educating the public, policy-makers, and emergency response teams is more important than ever. Looking at data for the period between 1997 and 2006, Lazarus pointed to across-the-board increases in CKD rates:

•    106% for Hispanic Americans.

•    98% for Asian Americans.

•    55% for Native Americans.

•    49% for African Americans.

•    42% for Caucasians.

Since Kidney patients typically need four hours of dialysis three days each week in order to eliminate waste, toxins and extra fluids from their system, these increases also underscore the need for emergency planning. Any interruption caused by storms, floods, fires, earthquakes and other natural disasters that might affect electrical power, water lines or make routine travel impractical is life-threatening.

Thinking ahead is even more important than ever. "We're lucky that the dialysis community and emergency responders are working together to prevent the loss of lives," said Bill Numbers. "We simply need to ensure that we are doing everything we can, including educating the public."

Since March is National Kidney Month, briefing organizers hope to focus attention on the impact of natural disasters on dialysis patients. They also want the public to know what is already being done. Kelly Mayo, Project Director, Kidney Community Emergency Response Coalition, spoke about her organization's work with dialysis providers around the country. And Numbers described the evolution of FMCNA's response and recovery efforts, beginning with the Northeast power outage in 2003 through Hurricane Ike and Gustav. In 2008, Numbers said over 100 clinics and 8000 patients were affected during the 3 hurricanes in August through September 2008. During that time, Fresenius provided care to more than 500 non-Fresenius patients and brought in 4 large generators and diesel fuel to supplement local alternative power in Houston and Beaumont communities.

Reflecting on the importance of response and recovery efforts by Fresenius, KCER, and others, Bill Numbers said:

"We are committed to doing this whenever we have to and at whatever the cost. When it comes to dialysis patients, they have no options in a disaster. It is a huge responsibility to safeguard the lives of these individuals and families. And we will continue to work with government and other health providers to prevent the loss of life."

Kidney Community Emergency Response Coalition (KCER) mission is to collaboratively develop, disseminate, implement and maintain a coordinated preparedness and response framework for the kidney community in the event of any type of emergency or disaster. The KCER Coalition membership is open to anyone. To join the Coalition, visit our website and download a contact card or e-mail kcer(at)network7(dot)esrd(dot)net. Emergency preparedness resources and information on the KCER's current activities can be found on their website, www.KCERcoalition.com.

Fresenius Medical Care (FMCNA) is the world's largest integrated provider of products and services for individuals undergoing dialysis because of chronic kidney failure, a condition that affects more than 1.6 million individuals worldwide. Through its network of 2,297 dialysis clinics in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and Africa, Fresenius Medical Care provides dialysis treatment to 177,059 patients around the globe. Fresenius Medical Care is also the world's leading provider of dialysis products such as hemodialysis machines, dialyzers and related disposable products. Fresenius Medical Care is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FME, FME3) and the New York Stock Exchange (FMS, FMS/P). More information can be found at: www.ultracare-dialysis.com.

Contact:

David Shapinsky

202-302-4904

dshapinsky(at)obassociates(dot)net

# # #

Contact Information David Shapinsky

http://www.ultracare-dialysis.com

202-302-4904

Susan Torroella Joins MEDEX Global Group as COO

Susan Torroella Joins MEDEX Global Group as COO

Veteran Healthcare Executive Brings New Leadership to Management Team

Baltimore, MD (Vocus/PRWEB ) February 26, 2009 - MEDEX Global Group (www.medexassist.com), a leading provider of travel, security and medical assistance today announced the addition of Susan Torroella as Chief Operating Officer. Torroella joins MEDEX from Columbia MedCom Group, where she was CEO for seven years. Charged with leading the expanding company's 24-hour, global operations, Torroella brings with her more than 20 years of strategic management, marketing and sales experience in the health care industry.

"We are thrilled to welcome Susan to our team, as we plan for another growth year in 2009," states Bruce Kirby, President and CEO of MEDEX. "Her strategic leadership and management style will be extremely valuable, and her passion for excellence fits right in with our corporate culture."

"I'm excited to join such a dynamic company, and look forward to contributing to MEDEX's continued growth," says Torroella. "The constant flow of information and case activity at MEDEX keeps everyone on their toes and it's very evident that employees care about the work that they do and the people that they help."

Torroella has been widely recognized for her innovation and commitment to employees. Her former company was recognized in Baltimore Magazine's "Best Places to Work" in 2005 and 2007. Additionally, FORTUNE Small Business Magazine named Torroella as "Best Boss" and PharmaVoice identified her as one of the Top 100 Most Inspiring Leaders in the life sciences industry.

Most recently, Torroella anticipated regulatory trends and reorganized Columbia MedCom Group into two legally distinct subsidiaries. She also led her executive management team in the purchase of the company under an employee stock ownership plan on behalf of all full-time employees to avoid acquisition.

Active in mentoring women in healthcare, Susan launched the Mid-Atlantic chapter of the Healthcare Business Woman's Association (HBA), the largest association of healthcare leaders worldwide. She now sits on their Global Board of Directors.

Her prior experience includes working in the pharmaceutical industry for Schering-Plough as Senior Marketing Manager and for USAID subcontractor John Snow, a public health care firm, managing programs for the health and well-being of women and children in West Africa.

Torroella holds a Bachelor's Degree from Franklin & Marshall College, and a Masters Degree in International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. She was awarded Thunderbird's Barton Kyle Yount Award given to the member of each graduating class who most exemplifies Yount's ideals of scholarship, accomplishment and character.

ABOUT MEDEX Global Group

MEDEX (www.medexassist.com) is the oldest and largest independently owned provider of global travel, security and medical assistance in North America. For more than 30 years, MEDEX has served corporations, scholastic institutions, government agencies, humanitarian organizations and individual business and leisure travelers. MEDEX services range from pre-trip intelligence and contingency planning to real-time medical case management and complex emergency evacuations.

Media contacts:

For interviews or more information, please contact Nicole Beach, 410-453-6391, or Josianne Pennington, 410-453-6364.

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Contact Information Nicole Beach

MEDEX Global Group Inc.

http://www.medexassist.com/

410-453-6391

Josianne Pennington

MEDEX Global Group Inc.

http://www.medexassist.com/

410-453-6364

LiveProcess to Exhibit at National Emergency Management Summit March 4-6 event is Leading Healthcare Forum on Disaster, Epidemic and Terrorism Planning, Response and Recovery

LiveProcess to Exhibit at National Emergency Management Summit March 4-6 event is Leading Healthcare Forum on Disaster, Epidemic and Terrorism Planning, Response and Recovery

LiveProcess, the market leader in web-based emergency preparedness and incident management solutions for healthcare, today announced that it will be exhibiting at and attending the Third National Emergency Management Summit at the Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel, March 4-6, 2009. The Summit is the leading forum on disaster, epidemic and terrorism planning, response and recovery for healthcare organizations.

Verona, NJ (PRWEB) February 26, 2009 -- LiveProcess, the market leader in web-based emergency preparedness and incident management solutions for healthcare, today announced that it will be exhibiting at and attending the Third National Emergency Management Summit at the Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel, March 4-6, 2009.

The Summit is the leading forum on disaster, epidemic and terrorism planning, response and recovery for healthcare organizations. An extraordinary confluence of events, both environmental and geopolitical, has created both a heightened risk and a heightened awareness of natural disasters, epidemics and terrorism in the United States. The National Emergency Management Summit seeks to assess these risks and articulate practical approaches to strategies for planning, response and recovery.

LiveProcess was established in the wake of the September 11th attacks and the worldwide SARS outbreak in response to widespread recognition that healthcare needed a better way to plan and respond to disasters. In 2003, LiveProcess launched its centralized, web-based disaster preparation and incident management platform the first of its kind for healthcare to help healthcare organizations prepare for and respond to both large- and small-scale emergencies and disasters. Today, it is the leader in emergency management for hospitals.

"This Summit provides practical solutions to hospital emergency management issues and is one of the best and most informative conferences for healthcare emergency managers," said Mitch Saruwatari, LiveProcess' vice president of Quality and Compliance. "LiveProcess is proud to be exhibiting at this event."

The purpose of the Summit is to increase knowledge on how emergency management professionals can best prepare for disasters (pandemic, terrorism, and infectious diseases), use scarce resources wisely, implement responses more effectively, and create new partnerships. Participants can expect to leave the conference with a better ability to assess readiness for natural disasters and pandemics, foster best practices through presentation of a variety of successful case studies from the field and explore the difficult legal and ethical issues that arise in emergency situations.

LiveProcess will present a brief case study on how technology can help improve healthcare emergency management programs during the Networking Luncheon on Thursday, March 5th.

LiveProcess is exhibiting at Booth #10 on Wednesday, March 4th and Thursday, March 5th. To arrange interviews with LiveProcess executives, please contact Paul Ruderman at 973-571-2500.

For more information on the Summit, call (800) 684-4549 or visit www.emergencymanagementsummit.com.

About LiveProcess:

The LiveProcess platform is used by hundreds of hospitals across the country. The American Hospital Association (AHA) has exclusively endorsed LiveProcess as the choice for disaster readiness and incident command solutions for its more than 5,000 member hospitals.

The LiveProcess platform provides hospitals, other healthcare providers and public health agencies with the ability to evaluate and manage their own preparedness and state of readiness, as well as coordinate response with other entities, from small incidents through large-scale healthcare emergencies. Its broad and growing range of fully-integrated tools include Hazard Vulnerability Analyses (HVAs), an integrated Incident Command System (ICS), NIMS Compliance activities, Drills for Readiness and Compliance, a real-time Event Log, and Competency-Based Training capabilities.

For more information on LiveProcess, please visit www.liveprocess.com.

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Contact Information Paul Ruderman

LiveProcess

http://www.liveprocess.com

973-571-2531

LiveProcess Launches Newest Enhancements To Web-Based Emergency Management Platform Flexibility, Scalability Highlight Key Features In 4.75 Software Release

LiveProcess Launches Newest Enhancements To Web-Based Emergency Management Platform Flexibility, Scalability Highlight Key Features In 4.75 Software Release

LiveProcess, the market leader in emergency preparedness and incident management solutions for healthcare, today announced the release of Version 4.75 of their web-based platform. The platform includes flexible and scalable Incident Command System charts, a downloadable document archive and enhanced inventory management.

Verona, NJ (PRWEB) February 25, 2009 -- LiveProcess, the market leader in emergency preparedness and incident management solutions for healthcare, today announced the release of Version 4.75 of their web-based platform.

The newest release offers a host of timesaving productivity enhancements including flexible and scalable Incident Command System (ICS) charts, a Downloadable Document Archive and enhanced document management and inventory management.

The LiveProcess Customizable ICS is a flexible and scalable solution that will help organizations simplify daily operations and launch a rapid response to any emergency or unplanned-for event. Emergency management professionals can now modify their Hospital Incident Command System (HICS), customize ICS roles, sections, hierarchies and Job Action Sheets (JAS) to meet the specific needs of their facility, while maintaining full compliance with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) guidelines.

The LiveProcess Downloadable Document Archive generates a complete set of a facility's documents and information created on the LiveProcess platform. The file can be stored on a local network or on a CD for easy offline access.

An enhanced Document Management interface helps users to better maintain their library of important forms and other materials and now has a streamlined upload process for importing multiple documents.                        

The LiveProcess Inventory Management interface now tracks the physical location of emergency response materials, part numbers and inventory tag numbers, and can sort inventory by item age.

"With this newest software release, LiveProcess brings our customers exactly what they've asked for greater flexibility and scalability," said Nathaniel Weiss, founder and CEO.

"These time saving features are designed to take some of the pain away from daily program management activities," said Mitch Saruwatari, VP of Quality and Compliance, adding that "the customizable ICS feature will appeal to public health agencies, system administrators, smaller hospitals, and ambulatory facilities because users will be able to include as much or as little detail as they want while still remaining consistent with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) guidelines."

About LiveProcess:

LiveProcess was established in the wake of the September 11th attacks and the worldwide SARS outbreak in response to widespread recognition that healthcare needed a better way to plan and respond to disasters. In 2003, LiveProcess launched its centralized, web-based disaster preparation and incident management platform - the first of its kind for healthcare - to help healthcare organizations prepare for and respond to both large- and small-scale emergencies and disasters. Today, it is the leader in emergency management for hospitals.

The LiveProcess platform is used by hundreds of hospitals across the country. In addition, the American Hospital Association (AHA) has exclusively endorsed LiveProcess as the choice for disaster readiness and incident command solutions for its more than 5,000 member hospitals.

The LiveProcess platform provides hospitals, other healthcare providers and public health agencies with the ability to evaluate and manage their own preparedness and state of readiness, as well as coordinate response with other entities. Its broad and growing range of fully-integrated tools include Hazard Vulnerability Analyses (HVAs), an integrated Incident Command System (ICS), NIMS Compliance activities, Drills for Readiness and Compliance, a real-time Event Log, and Competency-Based Training capabilities.

For more information on LiveProcess, please visit www.liveprocess.com.

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Contact Information Paul D. Ruderman

LiveProcess

http://www.liveprocess.com

973-571-2531

Theicsstore.com - Incident Command, Disaster Preparedness, and Emergency Management Supplies and Tactical Equipment http://www.theicsstore.com

Theicsstore.com - Incident Command, Disaster Preparedness, and Emergency Management Supplies and Tactical Equipment http://www.theicsstore.com

Theicsstore.com is announcing its launch. They provide a one stop shop for incident management, disaster preparedness, and emergency management supplies and tactical equipment. Thousands of products are currently available at http://www.theicsstore.com

Loveland, CO (PRWEB) February 24, 2009 -- TheICSstore.com is proud to announce its launch. Equipment found on the site is designed to assist responders and managers in both incident and event management. Developed by active incident management personnel the site truly offers one stop shopping for creation of go kits, emergency operations center equipping or for building that new command post. In the post 911 and Katrina era the theICSstore.com has taken into considerations the customer needs whether they work in the prevention, preparedness, response or recovery pillars of incident and emergency management. The site carries items from manufacturers such as 5.11 Tactical, Kestrel, Rite in the Rain, The Quick Series, Leatherman, Gerber, Streamlight, Blackhawk, Pelican Products, Kershaw and many more. There are thousands of items that are currently offered. They will continue to add items and update the site regularly. Visit http://www.theicsstore.com for current offers and discounts.

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Contact Information Shane Doyon

The ICS Store

http://www.theicsstore.com

970-672-3234

Ugandan Children Receive Life-Saving Treatment For Heart Defects At Children's National Medical Center

Ugandan Children Receive Life-Saving Treatment For Heart Defects At Children's National Medical Center

Through partnership with Samaritan's Purse and Gift of Life, patients travel to United States **Media Note: Patients will be at Children's National for farewell visit on Tuesday, February 24**

Washington, DC --On February 12, two Ugandan children received life-saving procedures at Children's National Medical Center (http://www.childrensnational.org/?utm_source=pressrelease&utm_medium=2_23&utm_campaign=uganda) to correct severe heart defects. Without cardiac surgery, the young boys would likely have died before adulthood, but they now have a normal life expectancy.

As part of the Phase I of a global initiative to bring attention to the health needs of Ugandan children, 15-month-old Daniel Kamaramasu and 2 ½-year-old Allan Wassanyi traveled 5,000 miles to receive treatment unavailable at home. Daniel, who was born with a blocked valve between his heart and lungs, was successfully treated using a cardiac catheterization balloon procedure by Michael Slack, MD (http://www.childrensnational.org/FindADoctor/Doctor_Marqui.aspx?DocId=470&Name=Michael%20Slack?utm_source=pressrelease&utm_medium=2_23&utm_campaign=uganda). Allan, who had a very large hole in his heart, underwent successful open heart surgery by Richard Jonas, MD (http://www.childrensnational.org/FindADoctor/Doctor_Marqui.aspx?DocID=1195&Name=Richard%20Jonas?utm_source=pressrelease&utm_medium=2_23&utm_campaign=uganda).

The boys came to Children's National through a partnership with international relief organization Samaritan's Purse, Gift of Life International (GOLI), and other organizations. Through this partnership, pediatric cardiologist Craig Sable, MD (http://www.childrensnational.org/FindADoctor/Doctor_Marqui.aspx?DocId=424&Name=Craig%20Sable?utm_source=pressrelease&utm_medium=2_23&utm_campaign=uganda) has led seven medical missions to Uganda in an effort to provide treatment for patients and ultimately build a sustainable cardiac surgery program in Uganda. More than 100 children have received life-saving treatment since the program began in 2003.

"With the dedication of organizations like Samaritan's Purse and Gift of Life, patients from around the world have access to the expert pediatric care that is available to children in the United States," said Dr. Sable.

Added Cindy Bonsall, director of Samaritan's Purse's Children's Heart Project: "We're glad this partnership has enabled so many Ugandan children to receive the cardiac care they deserve. We're glad they will be returning home soon with a second chance at life."

A key component of the missions to Uganda has been training Ugandan surgeons. Through training provided by Dr. Sable and colleagues, Ugandan surgeons are now on the verge of doing simple cardiac procedures on their own. Dr. Sable directs the Telemedicine Program at Children's National, which provides training and educational opportunities around the world.

The groups have joined forces to implement "Our Hearts Are In Uganda," which will focus all of GOLI's efforts in Uganda. The first phase of the program included treatment for Daniel, Allan, and three other children at hospitals in the United States. The next phase will bring 25 more Ugandan children to hospitals throughout the world to receive life-saving treatment for heart defects.

"We have saved the lives of more than 10,000 children, and through this partnership, we hope to expand our reach, to ultimately create a program in Uganda to ensure that all the children have access to the medical care they need," said Lou del Rosario, vice chairman of GOL District 7230, who was instrumental in raising funds for Allan's operation.

MEDIA NOTE: The patients will be returning to Children's National for a farewell visit on Tuesday, February 24. The patients and Dr. Craig Sable will be available for interviews. Contact Emily Dammeyer or Jenn Leischer at 202-476-4500.

About Children's National Medical Center (http://www.childrensnational.org/about/?utm_source=pressrelease&utm_medium=2_23&utm_campaign=uganda)

Children's National Medical Center, located in Washington, DC, is a proven leader in the development of innovative new treatments for childhood illness and injury. Children's has been serving the nation's children for more than 135 years. Children's National is proudly ranked among the best pediatric hospitals in America by US News & World Report and the Leapfrog Group. For more information, visit www.childrensnational.org.

About Samaritan's Purse

Samaritan's Purse identifies children needing life-saving heart treatment through its' Children's Heart Project. The international relief organization identifies children overseas who need heart surgery, matches them with hospitals and specialists willing to donate their time and services, places them with a local host family, and arranges international travel and an interpreter. More than 550 children from nine countries have been brought to North America for medical and surgical care not available in their home countries.

About Gift of Life International

Gift of Life is a Rotary based program in more than 50 Rotary Clubs and Districts on 6 continents. GOLI aims to save as many children's lives as possible by providing life saving open heart surgery to children from infancy to 18 years of age with congenital heart defects. GOLI has been responsible for saving more than 10,000 lives during the past 33 years.

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Contact Information Emily Dammeyer

Children's National Medical Center

http://www.childrensnational.org

202-476-4500

Telecommunicator Turn-Over Rate Reaches 19 Percent

Telecommunicator Turn-Over Rate Reaches 19 Percent

APCO's Next Generation Project RETAINS Study Identifies Additional Public Safety Communications Staffing Trends and Issues

Alexandria, VA (Vocus) February 23, 2009 -- The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today released a follow-up report to its Project RETAINS (Responsive Efforts to Assure Integral Needs in Staffing), which finds the national telecommunicator turn-over rate at 19 percent, an increase of three percent since the initial study conducted in 2005 and higher than the better-known turn-over rates of nurses and teachers. The report also includes highly sought-after guidelines to estimate the appropriate staffing levels for dispatchers.

"Too often it takes catastrophic events to shed light on the urgent contributions public safety communications work makes to our nation's well being," APCO International President Chris Fischer said. "During more routine moments, public safety professionals labor well out of the public eye and, often, with limited resources and insufficient support."

Seeking to assess the conditions under which communications centers are employed, APCO International established Project RETAINS, which resulted in a 2005 report and the Project RETAINS toolkit. This second Project RETAINS study, Staffing and Retention in Public Safety Communications Centers: A Follow-up Study, sought to extend APCO International's knowledge of communications center staffing issues not addressed in the first study and to gauge the degree to which Project RETAINS has proven useful.

This report examined communications centers' retention rates, employees' organizational commitment, and employees' psychological distress. Despite the broad differences between centers of different size, location and type, a number of patterns emerged in this study that hold relevance for the nation's communications centers. First, the overwhelming majority (83 percent) of centers have experienced an increase in the number of dispatched calls in the previous three years. In addition, rates of retention are significantly affected by the hourly salary which starting employees receive and the flexibility of work schedules. Further, the findings draw attention to the need that employees express for greater support, recognition, and appreciation, whether from their supervisors and center directors or from the public at large. Finally, communications centers that have used the Project RETAINS toolkit indicated that retention had significantly increased over the past three years.

"Project RETAINS was created to provide our organization with a better understanding of the issues experienced by our members and effective ways to address them and, by those standards, we have succeeded," Fischer said. "However, we continue to battle with the goal of awareness and truly believe that full success will not be realized until the public has a greater understanding of and appreciation for the work of these talented and dedicated professionals."

The full report of this study is free for APCO International members and can be downloaded at http://www.apcointl.com/new/commcenter911/retains_at_a_glance.php. Members of the press interested in receiving a copy of the report or talking with someone about the findings should contact Courtney McCarron Hastings at mccarronc(at)apco911.org. A summary of the report is available to the public at http://www.apcointl.com/new/commcenter911/retains_at_a_glance.php. For more information on Project RETAINS, visit http://www.apcointl.com/new/commcenter911/retains.php.

About APCO International

The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International is the world's oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to the enhancement of public safety communications. APCO International serves the professional needs of its 15,000 members worldwide by creating a platform for setting professional standards, addressing professional issues and providing education, products and services for people who manage, operate, maintain and supply the communications systems used by police, fire and emergency medical dispatch agencies throughout the world. For more information, visit www.apcointl.org.

Contact:

Courtney McCarron Hastings

571.312.4400 x7002

mccarronc(at)apco911.org

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Contact Information Courtney McCarron

APCO

http://www.apcointl.com/new/commcenter911/retains_at_a_glance.php

571-312-4400+7002

Global Cardiac Biomarkers Market to Reach $2.6 Billion by 2015, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Global Cardiac Biomarkers Market to Reach $2.6 Billion by 2015, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Rising cases of cardiovascular diseases and ageing population have served as primary growth drivers for cardiac biomarkers market, one of the fastest growing sectors in the clinical immunodiagnostics market. The fast growing BNP & NT-proBNP assay test for congestive heart failure, is the other significant growth driver for the global cardiac biomarkers market. With the number of people affected with cardiovascular diseases reaching 30 million a year worldwide, the global market for cardiac biomarkers is set to reach $2.6 billion by 2015.

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) February 19, 2009 -- The healthcare sector worldwide place utmost importance on fast and accurate identification of heart problems, in order to initiate timely and accurate treatment at the earliest. The market for cardiac biomarkers (http://www.strategyr.com/Cardiac_Biomarkers_Market_Report.asp), which helps in detecting the severity and existence of heart problems at the earliest, is expected to witness steady growth. The Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) platform is more popular among the new breed of physicians who give prime importance on faster resulting and mobility; while experienced physicians rely more on Laboratory Testing platform that is perceived to be more accurate and provide detailed analysis.

The United States is the largest market worldwide, followed by Europe as the second largest regional market. By Assay Test type, Cardiac troponin (http://www.strategyr.com/Cardiac_Biomarkers_Market_Report.asp) assay test represents the largest segment, and B-type natriuretic peptide (http://www.strategyr.com/Cardiac_Biomarkers_Market_Report.asp) (BNP) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (http://www.strategyr.com/Cardiac_Biomarkers_Market_Report.asp) (NT-proBNP) assay test represent the second largest and the fastest growing test segment. By location type, Laboratory Testing segment is the leading segment, while the Point-of-Care Testing segment is growing at a faster pace.

Key participants in the global marketplace include Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Inverness Medical Innovations, Response Biomedical, Roche Diagnostics, Abbott Diagnostics, Beckman Coulter, Ortho-clinical Diagnostics, Nanogen, biomérieux, Axis-Shield, Lifesign, and Prognostics.

"Cardiac Biomarkers: A Global Strategic Business Report" from Global Industry Analysts, Inc. provides a comprehensive review of market trends, drivers, product profile, players, competition, recent developments, mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic industry activities. Analysis is presented for major geographic markets such as the United States, Europe and rest of world. Global and regional analytics are provided in terms of assay test types such as CK-MB, Cardiac Troponin, Myoglobin and BNP & NT-proBNP assay tests. Analytics is also provided in terms of location type such as Laboratory Testing and Point-of-Care Testing (POCT).

For more details about this research report, please visit

http://www.strategyr.com/Cardiac_Biomarkers_Market_Report.asp

About Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Global Industry Analysts, Inc., (GIA) (http://www.strategyr.com) is a reputed publisher of off-the-shelf market research. Founded in 1987, the company is globally recognized as one of the world's largest market research publishers. The company employs more than 700 people worldwide and publishes more than 880 full-scale research reports each year. Additionally, the company also offers a range of more than 60,000 smaller research products including company reports, market trend reports and industry reports encompassing all major industries worldwide.

Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Telephone 408-528-9966

Fax 408-528-9977

Web Site http://www.StrategyR.com

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Contact Information Public Relations

Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

http://www.StrategyR.com/

(408) 528-9966