INDIANAPOLIS -- Clarian Health Partners announced it has selected AT&T to provide an integrated, high-speed local data and voice networking solution that supports Clarian's innovative approach to patient care at its 14 key locations. The five-year contract is valued at nearly $11 million.

Clarian Health Partners is a non-profit healthcare organization comprised of Methodist Hospital, Indiana University Hospital and Riley Hospital for Children. 

The AT&T solution, based on Ethernet Switched Service-Metropolitan Area Network (ESS-MAN), provides secure high-speed connectivity, seamlessly integrating legacy and newer communications platforms already in place at Clarian's three main hospitals -- Methodist, Indiana University and Riley hospitals -- Clarian's statewide affiliates, and its West and North medical centers, which are under construction and set to open in Fall 2004 and Fall 2005, respectively.  The AT&T solution facilitates fast, efficient information-sharing among Clarian locations, and offers immediate online access to up-to-date medical research and recommended clinical care.

"We are constantly working to enhance the level of our services to ensure that we continue to deliver patient care that is second to none," said Marvin Pember, Chief Financial Officer, Clarian Health Partners. "AT&T demonstrated a clear understanding of our business needs and priorities. The networking solution meets our needs today, and can easily be scaled to accommodate our growth and additional applications, if necessary." 

The fully managed local solution will help Clarian standardize best practices in patient care by providing instant access to a patient's complete, centralized electronic medical records, including alerts to current medical conditions and prescriptions.   Additionally, it supports bedside e-portal terminals currently under development that will actively involve patients in their treatment on a variety of fronts -- from tracking the status of surgical procedures and prescribed medications to ordering meals.  

AT&T's local networking solution supports Clarian's business continuity plan by providing quick restoration capabilities and the flexibility to change which facilities serve as the primary and backup sites for stored information, including patient records.

Additionally, AT&T will provide inbound and outbound local and long-distance voice services at all Clarian facilities. AT&T integrated Clarian's voice, data and Internet services through its industry-leading AT&T Business Network (ABN) offer, which unifies multiple communications services into a single contract, with a single bill and provides discounts across all services. In addition, through the award-winning secure AT&T BusinessDirect®portal, Clarian gains online access to tools that provide near-real-time reports on network performance and direct access to AT&T's ordering, status, inventory and trouble management and billing systems.

AT&T worked with Cisco Systems Inc., an AT&T Strategic Alliance company, on Clarian's networking solution.  As a leader in networking integration, AT&T maintains alliances with best-in-class providers, including Cisco, to take advantage of their specialist knowledge and provide customers with a one-stop solution for their complex networking needs.

About Clarian Health

Clarian Health Partners, comprised of Methodist Hospital, Indiana University Hospital and Riley Hospital for Children, is an Indiana-based, private, non-profit organization, offering a broad base of tertiary services, specialized pediatric care and a Level 1 Trauma Center.  Clarian is Indiana's largest, most comprehensive health center and is one of the busiest hospital systems in the nation.  Clarian Health's mission is to improve the health of patients and the community through innovation and excellence in care, education, research and service.  To fulfill its mission, Clarian uses the combined resources of its sponsoring institutions and its continuing affiliation with Indiana University School of Medicine, one of the nation's leading medical education and research centers. Clarian Health Partners, Inc. operates the Methodist Hospital, Indiana University Hospital and Riley Hospital campuses as a single hospital under Indiana law.