Mission Viejo, CA, May 24, 2004 - As part of its commitment to improve the quality and efficiency of patient care, Mission Hospital has become the nation's first regional acute care hospital to launch a sophisticated mobile robot system that enables physicians and clinical specialists to remotely move, see, hear and talk while in another location as though they are actually there.

Mission Innovation Institute, a non-profit entity within Mission Hospital that develops and applies technology solutions in real-world clinical settings, championed efforts to bring the system to the hospital. With the remote-presence technology, high-demand healthcare experts, particularly acute care clinicians, are able to make "virtual" rounds via the robot's live video feed to see and consult with patients more frequently, conveniently and effectively.

"This robotic technology provides us with an advanced clinical tool that increases opportunities for physician-to-patient communication that is crucial for consistently delivering high quality care to our patients," said Peter F. Bastone, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mission Hospital. "The system offers our medical experts and patients additional access to each other beyond traditional bedside visits."

Manufactured by Santa Barbara-based InTouch Health, Mission Hospital's five-foot high, 200-pound robot looks similar to a large vacuum cleaner with a flat-screen computer monitor mounted on top. Connected to the Internet via broadband and a wireless network, the system includes a live two-way video feed, infrared sensors to prevent bumping and collisions, a microphone and a speaker.

When in use, the robot is guided by a doctor or specialist who can wheel the system unassisted through hallways and rooms using a joystick from a computerized care station in another location. A physician can then watch what the machine "sees" through a video camera on top of the flat screen monitor, while the patients see the doctor's face displayed on the screen.

Mission Hospital's mobile robot is being initially deployed for remote patient rounding in the Medical Surgery area on the third floor of the facility's main medical tower. The first remote control terminal is now operational and located in the medical offices of Dr. John K. Shaver, a Mission Hospital trauma and general surgery specialist.

Dr. Shaver, who will undergo in-service training and "licensing" from InTouch® to drive and operate the remote system, will be using the robot to supplement his normal in-room patient visits.

"Patients and their families want as much access as possible to their physician for direction consultation and care," said Dr. Shaver. "It's not unusual for medical tests and other results to come in after regular in-person rounds for a day are completed, so I think patients will appreciate that we will be able to get back 'in front' of them more frequently rather than waiting until the next day's visit."

The robot came to Mission Hospital following an extensive technology assessment by the Mission Innovation Institute. The group evaluated the technology after researching existing tests, including a recent study and site trials at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore that showed positive patient attitudes toward the remote robotic platform. The InTouch system has also been tested at several senior living sites nationwide.

"One of our key focuses is to look for innovative solutions that have practical applications for improving patient care in a real world hospital environment," said [Mission Innovation Institute]. "We believe remote presence technology has strong potential to do just that based on what we've seen in other site tests of the robot."

Mission Hospital's robot, which rents for approximately $3,000 per month from InTouch, is currently being used solely to augment patient rounding. However, the technology also offers potential for remote access for off-site specialist consultation, training, coaching, quality assurance and other needs.

About Mission Hospital
Mission Hospital is a 338-bed acute care, full-service facility serving all of south Orange County and houses the region's designated trauma center, one of only three in the county. Located in Mission Viejo, Mission Hospital offers a complete array of top-quality healthcare services including Mission Trauma Center and 24-hour emergency care; Mission Heart Center providing cardiac rehabilitation and chest pain center; and Mission Maternity Center with special care for high-risk pregnancy. Mission Hospital also offers the highest level of care in orthopedics, rehabilitation, cancer, stroke, spine, vascular and wellness services.

A member of the St. Joseph Health System, the hospital is one of 15 not-for-profit hospitals sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange. CHOC at Mission, a separately licensed pediatric hospital representing a unique partnership with Mission Hospital and Children's Hospital of Orange County, is located on the top floor of Mission Hospital's patient tower. For more information, please visit mission4health.com.

About Mission Innovation Institute
The Mission Innovation Institute conducts healthcare research in a real world environment, and strives to increase the understanding between the developers of medical technologies and the healthcare professionals who apply them.

The goals of the Institute are to improve patient care and to maximize the community benefit by empowering the spirit of giving through innovation and technology by integrating academia and industry with a working hospital for significant and practical healthcare industry solutions while pursuing the highest ideals of an exemplary non-profit organization. For more information, visit www.missioninnovation.com.

About InTouch Health
InTouch Health, Inc. is a privately held development stage company based in Santa Barbara, Calif. InTouch Health provides technology solutions that increase the effectiveness of healthcare professionals. The company is pioneering the use of Remote Presence in healthcare with its "Companion" system. Through a proprietary communications and mobile robotic platform, caregiving experts are projected to another setting where a patient or caregiver is located to provide care, coach and train staff, or monitor healthcare services. The InTouch Health solution leverages the time and expertise of healthcare professionals across multiple care facilities, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of care delivery.