Vocera Press Releases

Hill-Rom Signs Distribution Agreement with Vocera Communications to Market In-Building Wireless Voice Solution For Improved Hospital Communications

Batesville, Ind. (January 28, 2004) - Hill-Rom, a leading provider of patient care environment and process solutions, announced today that it has signed a distribution agreement with Vocera Communications, Inc., permitting Hill-Rom to sell, service and support Vocera’s wireless voice solution to medical facilities searching for ways to improve communication and efficiency.

The wireless voice application will take Hill-Rom’s communications offerings to a new level, providing hospital staff with complete wireless mobile voice communication from anywhere in the hospital. Instead of visiting a call station to return a page, they’ll have the power to speak with each other through a badge attached to their clothes or worn around their neck.

Medical personnel traditionally communicate through paging because cell phones may interfere with hospital telemetry equipment, such as heart monitors. Now, with wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) technology – first developed to link computers wirelessly in a building– nurses, doctors and other medical personnel can place and answer calls on the spot, saving time and money.

“Rapid communication is essential in the fast-paced world of medicine, where decisions are frequently made in seconds and busy medical professionals scramble to complete daily tasks and provide quality patient care,” said Ernest Waaser, president and CEO of Hill-Rom. “Vocera’s hands-free wireless telephony solution, when used in conjunction with other hospital systems, such as Hill-Rom’s nurse communications system, creates significant opportunities to help our customers improve patient throughput, staff efficiency, and asset utilization.”

About Hill-Rom
Hill-Rom helps caregivers safely deliver effective and efficient care to their patients in acute care, long term care and home care environments. The company’s comprehensive offering can include: facility assessments, patient beds, stretchers, therapy surfaces, communication systems, modular headwalls and lighting systems. The company also offers expert, clinical and equipment services and programs that can help improve asset productivity, operational efficiency and patient outcomes. Hill-Rom’s global headquarters is based in Batesville, Ind., and employs approximately 6,000 people worldwide. It is an operating company of Hillenbrand Industries (NYSE:HB).

About Vocera Communications
Vocera Communications has created a wireless communications system to enhance customer service, productivity and teamwork throughout organizations by enabling instant voice communication among mobile workers. The company, headquartered in Cupertino, Calif., was founded in March 2000. For more information, please contact the company at (408) 882-5100, (800) 331-6356 or visit the web site at www.vocera.com

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Media Contact:

Christopher P. Feeney
(812) 934-8197
Chris.Feeney@Hill-Rom.com

Kimberly Tipton
(812) 931-2314
Kim.Tipton@Hill-Rom.com

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