White Paper Addresses Today's Challenges for Community Hospitals

ISELIN, N.J., May 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Outdated buildings, aging equipment and crumbling parking lots are becoming more common at small, independent community hospitals (150 beds or less) in the United States. Additionally, large numbers of these hospitals are operating at a deficit. Experts believe the fiscal challenges at these facilities are the worst in the hospital industry – and will continue to be so for at least the near term.

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The conditions responsible for these challenges are multiple and are the focus of a new white paper sponsored by Siemens Financial Services, Inc. (SFS, Inc.) The white paper is titled "Surviving the Storm: Tumultuous Times for America's Small Community Hospitals" and will be released in three parts.

The first section of the paper has just been released by SFS, Inc. and can be viewed at http://www.usa.siemens.com/CH and deals with two major challenges confronting these hospitals, implementing Electronic Health Records and Accessing Capital.

About Siemens Financial Services, Inc.

Siemens Financial Services, Inc. (SFS Inc.), the US affiliate of Siemens Financial Services, is a leading provider of business-to-business financial services in the United States. SFS Inc. is a committed business ally that combines deep industry expertise with integrated financing solutions to enhance the efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness of its customers. The company, based in Iselin, NJ, enables business expansion for thousands of customers in the healthcare, energy, and industrial sectors by providing customized solutions that range from equipment financing and working capital to project and export finance, and insurance solutions. Further information on Siemens Financial Services, Inc. in the United States:  www.usa.siemens.com/finance.

About Siemens

Siemens AG (NYSE: SI) is a global powerhouse in electronics and electrical engineering, and operates in the industry, energy and healthcare sectors.  For more than 160 years, Siemens has built a reputation for leading-edge innovation and the quality of its products, services and solutions.  With 428,000 employees in 190 countries, Siemens reported worldwide sales of $116.6 billion in fiscal 2008.  With its U.S. corporate headquarters in New York City, Siemens in the USA reported sales of $22.4 billion and employs approximately 69,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico.  For more information on Siemens in the United States, visit www.usa.siemens.com.

SOURCE Siemens Healthcare