Siemens 2008 Annual Report Download - page 69

Products and solutions – Healthcare Sector 63
We’re unique in our industry, developing and aligning technologies from a disease-centric and,
ultimately, patient-centric perspective – an untapped market of tremendous potential. Our objec-
tive is twofold: to create demand by offering cohesive solutions that integrate our portfolio of
products and services; and to generate value which exceeds that of standalone products.
Such an approach cannot be created in isolation. That’s why we’re working with healthcare institu-
tions and clinical experts in academia, research and tertiary care to identify, replicate, automate
and continuously innovate global best practices in treating the most common, complex and seri-
ous diseases.
Today’s global healthcare environment increasingly operates under the intense pressure of pay-
for-performance models and quality outcomes measurement. Hospitals certied as centers of
excellence for stroke, cardiovascular disease and other illnesses submit to annual audits and pro-
vide continuous quality data reporting. This increased scrutiny is not limited to the industry and
peer review. Consider the US Government’s 2008 landmark decision to provide consumers with
hospital outcomes rankings for diseases including pneumonia and myocardial infarction.
In cases of acute coronary syndrome, for example, workow and clinical accuracy can mean the
difference between life and death. Standards established by the Joint Commission on Accreditation
of Hospitals in the U.S. stipulate a 90-minute door-to-balloon time for patients exhibiting acute
coronary syndrome. Yet emergency room waiting times alone average 50 minutes for patients
with chest pains. Our best practice consulting helps customers not just meet the Joint Commission
goals but cut treatment times in half. In addition, clinical trials are underway on a totally new
workow leveraging Siemens’ innovative blood tests and imaging technologies to accelerate dif-
ferential diagnosis and minimize treatment risk – saving time, money and lives.
Our organization – including oncology, cardiology, neurology, women’s health, urology, surgery
and audiology – reects this disease-centered approach. We also direct the Healthcare Sector’s
worldwide Customer Relationship Management and Customer Service. With our in-depth knowl-
edge of clinical science and our customers’ clinical and business objectives, we’re leveraging our
unparalleled portfolio of technologies to increase both market share and protability.
Workow & Solutions
Thomas Miller
CEO
www.siemens.com/healthcare
We integrate our Sector’s broad portfolio of technologies to create
unique solutions for the prediction, prevention and treatment of
complex diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease and
neurological disorders. Our mission is to optimize current clinical
best practices and establish new standards of care in order to max-
imize quality while minimizing costs.