Avera Health partners with Elekta to deliver most advanced cancer care
This partnership will enable Avera to implement an integrated oncology health system that spans the full cancer care continuum, from prevention and screening through to palliation and recovery.
The agreement includes Elekta linear accelerators (Versa HD™, Elekta Infinity™), Leksell Gamma Knife® Perfexion™, brachytherapy solutions, Monaco® treatment planning and METRIQ™ cancer registry software. All of the software will be deployed through a cloud-based solution.
“Being chosen by comprehensive cancer networks, such as Avera Health, further demonstrates Elekta’s leadership in oncology information systems,” says Jay Hoey, Elekta’s Executive Vice President of Region North America. “We are excited to be collaborating with this leader in cancer therapy.”
Dave Kapaska, DO, Regional President and CEO of Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center and administrative leader of the Avera Health cancer service line, says: “The Avera cancer service line is dedicated to providing research-based, technologically advanced, world-class care, wherever our patients and their families are located. This partnership will assist us to fulfill this vision by ensuring consistent high quality care across all Avera Cancer Institute locations. We are thrilled to have found a partner that shares our vision for integrated quality care.”
Dave Flicek, Chief Administrative Officer for Avera Medical Group, says: “Through this partnership, Avera will be able to access a single patient record at any of our cancer centers and outreach locations. This ensures connectivity between cancer providers, chemotherapy and radiation therapy centers and cancer registries, as we offer our patients the highest level of cancer care in the region.”
“By choosing Elekta as our partner, we will be able to give our patients access to the world’s most advanced technology for treating cancer,” says Michael Peterson, MD, Radiation Oncologist with Avera Health. “Having both Versa HD and Perfexion provides superior capabilities for stereotactic treatment delivery, enabling us to perform treatments faster, with even greater precision.”
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States and South Dakota,* which has a population of about 850,000. The agreement will benefit Avera’s six regional locations and 40 outreach sites by driving further improvements in quality patient care.
More than USD 20 million of the agreement was booked during Elekta’s second fiscal quarter.
*2012, South Dakota Department of Health, Vital Statistics
For further information, please contact:
Gert van Santen, Group Vice President Corporate Communications, Elekta AB
Tel: +31 653 561 242, e-mail: gert.vansanten@elekta.com
Time zone: CET: Central European Time
Johan Andersson, Director, Investor Relations, Elekta AB
Tel: +46 702 100 451, e-mail: johan.andersson@elekta.com
Time zone: CET: Central European Time
The above information is such that Elekta AB (publ) shall make public in accordance with the Securities Market Act and/or the Financial Instruments Trading Act. The information was published at 07:30 CET on December 4, 2014.
About Elekta
Elekta is a human care company pioneering significant innovations and clinical solutions for treating cancer and brain disorders. The company develops sophisticated, state-of-the-art tools and treatment planning systems for radiation therapy, radiosurgery and brachytherapy, as well as workflow enhancing software systems across the spectrum of cancer care. Stretching the boundaries of science and technology, providing intelligent and resource-efficient solutions that offer confidence to both health care providers and patients, Elekta aims to improve, prolong and even save patient lives.
Today, Elekta solutions in oncology and neurosurgery are used in over 6,000 hospitals worldwide. Elekta employs around 3,800 employees globally. The corporate headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden, and the company is listed on NASDAQ Stockholm. Website: www.elekta.com.
About Avera Health
Avera, the health ministry of the Benedictine and Presentation Sisters, is a regional partnership of health professionals who share support services to maintain excellent care at more than 300 locations in eastern South Dakota and surrounding states.
Avera caregivers are supported by the resources and expertise of the region's largest health system. Management and other support services are provided through the Avera Central Office in Sioux Falls, S. D., and its five regional centers: Avera St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen, S.D.; Avera Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell, S.D.; Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center in Sioux Falls, S.D.; Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, S.D.; and Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center in Marshall, Minn. More information at www.Avera.org