Alere and AirStrip Technologies - a Powerful Collaboration Brings Innovative Remote Patient Monitoring to Obstetrical Care

ATLANTA, Aug. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Alere Health, LLC, a leader in personal health support solutions (a division of Alere Inc.) (NYSE: ALR), today announced a new collaboration with AirStrip Technologies Inc., a pioneer in mobile medical software development.

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AirStrip Technologies offers innovative remote patient monitoring applications that deliver vital data directly to mobile devices, including smart phones. Starting September 1st of 2010, Alere, through its Women & Children's Health division, will begin offering AirStrip OB to its healthcare provider client base through a marketing agreement. Alere, the largest U.S. provider of specialized health management services, will act as a marketing representative to promote AirStrip OB within the U.S. to physicians or hospital representatives and act as a liaison for users of AirStrip solutions.

The state-of-the-art AirStrip OB software transmits vital patient waveform data, including fetal heart tracing and maternal contraction patterns, in virtual real time directly from the hospital labor and delivery unit to a doctor's mobile wireless device.

"AirStrip OB, coupled with Alere's home nursing network, makes a perfect fit for building on our industry-leading homecare obstetric services," said Gregg Raybuck, President, Women's & Children's Health.  "Alere supported more than 225,000 pregnancies in 2009 and our collaboration with AirStrip Technologies will empower us to expand into new areas of in-patient and homecare management.  We are excited about this dynamic partnership that will continue to drive our objectives to support maternity management."

"AirStrip Technologies is moving into the home health arena to monitor multiple clinical scenarios," said AirStrip Technologies Chief Sales Officer Bruce Brandes. "The AirStrip-Alere agreement delivers a partnership to the market that combines great technology with great experience, coupled with Alere's compelling history of improving outcomes for pregnant women and their children."

Cleared by the FDA and compliant with HIPAA regulations, AirStrip OB is currently in use by obstetricians and hospitals throughout the U.S. and is rapidly establishing a new standard of patient care. The Joint Commission has stated that effective communication between medical professionals is key to preventing medical errors resulting in patient injury in hospitals -- and AirStrip OB provides a powerful 21st century tool to reach this goal.

"AirStrip OB improves patient safety by strengthening communication and access to vital patient data," said AirStrip Technologies President and CMO Dr. Cameron Powell. "Our collaboration with Alere enhances our commitment to ensuring that patient status information is available to physicians anywhere and anytime, using AirStrip's cutting-edge technology."

About Alere

Alere Health is the health management services business of Alere Inc. (previously Inverness Medical Innovations) (NYSE: ALR).  Alere, a Latin verb, meaning "to care for" or "to support", offers the most patient-centered health management services available from a single provider in the industry. Alere provides health interventions that cover an individual's entire lifespan, from pre-cradle to end-of-life care, as well as the continuum from wellness and prevention, to total health management of the individual for those having chronic illnesses.  Alere's continuum of services begins with genetic testing, preconception, pregnancy, NICU and first year of life services; continues with lifelong programs focused on health, wellness and the management of chronic conditions such as Heart Failure, COPD, and Asthma, up to the complex care management required in end-of-life care.  For more information regarding Alere, please visit www.alere.com.

About AirStrip Technologies, Inc.

Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, AirStrip Technologies is a pioneer in mobile medical software applications designed to work across any platform to improve patient safety and reduce risk in the healthcare setting. AirStrip Technologies engages, consults and employs leading technology and medical experts to ensure their products are the best in the industry. The core technology team is committed to bringing best-of-breed products to the market that enhance the ability of physicians and healthcare professionals to perform their work on a daily basis with the added assurances that their patients are being provided the best care available. Visit www.airstriptech.com for more information.

SOURCE Alere Health, LLC