RFID-over-Wi-Fi RTLS Temperature Sensing Solution Protects Clinical Research Specimens at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

RESTON, Va., March 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Ekahau Inc., the high-performance leader in Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) using Wi-Fi (active RFID), announced today that Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington deployed Ekahau's Wi-Fi-based real-time temperature sensing and monitoring solution to ensure that tissue, blood and bone specimens are stored at required temperatures in order to meet the Center's rigorous experimental control requirements.

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The Hutchinson Center uses Ekahau Wi-Fi-based temperature sensors and Ekahau Vision™ software to reliably monitor and report the temperatures of several hundred refrigeration units housing specimens used in a variety of research experiments. The Ekahau solution ensures that near-breach temperatures trigger text and email alerts in real-time, before spoilage impacts specimens that are worth millions of dollars and span decades of testing. In addition, Ekahau Vision™ software automatically logs all temperature readings that are communicated wirelessly over the Center's existing Wi-Fi network, without the use of manual logs, which are prone to human error. The Ekahau real-time temperature monitoring solution helps the Hutchinson Center protect the continuity of its long-standing, world-renowned research programs.

"Since our founding in 1975, our benefactors and the public have invested hundreds of millions of dollars to advance Fred Hutch's quest to eliminate cancer," said Scott Rusch, VP of Facilities and Operations, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. "Without the Ekahau temperature sensing solution, we could lose all of those potentially life-saving findings in an instant."

"The Center's samples and the information stored in them, cannot be replaced if lost to unexpected temperature fluctuations," said Mark Norris, President and CEO of Ekahau. "We're proud to help Fred Hutch monitor and manage their environmentally sensitive and priceless cancer research samples."

The Ekahau Wi-Fi-based temperature monitoring solution is part of the Ekahau Real-Time Location System that helps hospitals mitigate risk, improve patient and staff safety and improve work-flows.

About Ekahau Inc.

Ekahau Inc. is the performance leader in providing Wi-Fi-based Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS). Ekahau RTLS includes Ekahau Vision™ and Ekahau RTLS Controller software as well as a broad selection of Wi-Fi-based smart tags which give staff and managers unprecedented visibility into the location, condition and status of assets, people and workflows. Thousands of Fortune 500 companies, hospitals and other facilities rely on Ekahau's patented technology to reveal business intelligence that drives decision-making. Ekahau partners include leading wireless software developers, systems integrators and WLAN providers. Learn more about Innovation Through Location at: www.ekahau.com or on the Ekahau Blog at: http://ekahau.wordpress.com, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

About Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, home to three Nobel laureates, interdisciplinary teams of world-renowned scientists seek new and innovative ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases. The Hutchinson Center's pioneering work in bone marrow transplantation led to the development of immunotherapy, which harnesses the power of the immune system to treat cancer with minimal side effects. An independent, nonprofit research institute based in Seattle, the Hutchinson Center houses the nation's first and largest cancer prevention research program, as well as the clinical coordinating center of the Women's Health Initiative and the international headquarters of the HIV Vaccine Trials Network. Private contributions are essential for enabling Hutchinson Center scientists to explore novel research opportunities that lead to important medical breakthroughs. For more information visit www.fhcrc.org or follow The Hutchinson Center on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.

Contact: Paul C. DiPerna  
Ph: +1 781 684 0770 
[email protected]

SOURCE Ekahau Inc.