For Immediate Release Contact: Megan

Maloney

(805) 542-6498

FRENCH HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER INTRODUCES

“ECHO IN A HEARTBEAT”
New 4-D Ultrasound System provides superior images of the heart

San Luis Obispo, CA – [April 14, 2010] - French Hospital Medical Center’s

(FHMC’s) Copeland, Forbes & Rossi Cardiac Care Center can now provide

advanced, real-time, full-volume, four dimensional (4-D) images of the entire

heart with the addition of the new Siemens ACUSON SC2000 Ultrasound

System.

FHMC is the first and only hospital on the Central Coast to obtain

the Siemens ACUSON SC2000 Ultrasound System. As one of the top 100

Cardiac Care hospitals in the nation, the addition of this system will allow our

physicians to capture 20 full volume images in one second. Siemens’ “Echo

in a Heartbeat” technology delivers advanced image resolution of the heart,

in less time, with better clinical results.

“FHMC recently announced plans for our $39 million expansion and

redesign. As part of that project, and as the Cardiac Center of choice in San

Luis Obispo County, we are committed to bringing the latest and best

technology to our patients,” says Alan Iftiniuk, President and CEO of FHMC.

The Siemens Acuson SC2000 4-D system introduces an entirely new level of imaging

technology to produce the most accurate images of cardiac structure and function, using non-
 1911 Johnson Avenue
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radiation ultrasound energy. The system has been designed to make cardiac and vascular

imaging easier to obtain. ~more~

Echo in a Heartbeat
2-2-2

For the first time ever, physicians can see an entire cardiac volume and capture all the

data needed to evaluate and diagnose in a single heartbeat. Compared with currently utilized 2-D

and 3-D technology, the new 4-D system allows instantaneous display of cardiac structures with

superior quality. This real-time imaging allows improved diagnostic capabilities due to a more

accurate view of valve and wall motion activity. This system will improve efficiency so that the

patient can be diagnosed and treated more quickly.

“The addition of this technology to the cardiac resources at French Hospital will enhance

cardiologists’ ability to make accurate diagnoses, and provide optimal care for their patients with

heart disease,” said Cardiologist Robert Doria, MD.

About French Hospital Medical Center

Located in San Luis Obispo, California, French Hospital Medical Center is
a not-for-profit hospital founded in 1946. Our team of 521 employees and
more than 330 physicians work daily to extend the mission of providing
compassionate, high quality health care services to San Luis Obispo and
the surrounding communities. French Hospital is a member of Catholic
Healthcare West, the largest Catholic healthcare system based in the
western United States with 42 hospitals and two medical practice groups
in California, Arizona and Nevada. To learn more log on to
www.frenchmedicalcenter.org.

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 1911 Johnson Avenue
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-4197
(805) 542-6498 telephone
(805) 542-6243 facsimile