Eastman Kodak Enters Healthcare IT Market with Aggressive Push

Strategic Insights -

Eastman Kodak announced a major expansion into the healthcare information technology (IT) market, introducing a portfolio of software and systems designed to improve clinical processes and enhance patient care. The company has renamed its Health Imaging business, now known as Kodak's Health Group, reflecting its transformation beyond radiology to a full range of digital systems, technology, and services for capturing, sharing, and managing medical images and related information.

Key Takeaways:

  • Kodak will offer a range of digital imaging, information, communications, and services offerings, including the new portfolio known as Kodak Carestream, which enables physicians and administrative personnel to collect and share patient information, including medical images, to accelerate and improve care.
  • The company has formed an agreement with Cisco Systems to bundle Cisco Security Agents (CSA) technology with medical imaging and information systems, making Kodak the first medical device company to do so.
  • Kodak is collaborating with IBM to develop a specialized radiology information system (RIS) for imaging centers and smaller healthcare facilities.
  • Kodak has introduced new features for its Kodak Secure Email Service, including an electronic postmark by the U.S. Postal Service verifying the message content has not changed during delivery.
  • The company has launched a new suite of RIS/PACS digital imaging and information systems to meet the needs of hospitals, imaging centers, orthopedic practices, and other healthcare facilities.

Statistics:

  • Kodak's new healthcare IT portfolio includes a range of digital imaging, information, communications, and services offerings.
  • The agreement with Cisco Systems will provide enhanced security for medical imaging and information systems.
  • Kodak's collaboration with IBM will focus on developing a specialized RIS for imaging centers and smaller healthcare facilities.
  • The U.S. Postal Service has partnered with Kodak to provide an electronic postmark for the company's secure email services.
  • Kodak's new RIS/PACS digital imaging and information systems will be available to hospitals, imaging centers, orthopedic practices, and other healthcare facilities.

Sources:

  • Eastman Kodak announcement, Wireless News-(C)1999-2005 10Meters, http://www.10meters.com
  • Kodak's Healthcare Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS) conference presentation, Dallas
  • Cisco Systems agreement, exact terms not specified
  • IBM collaboration, no additional details provided
  • U.S. Postal Service partnership, no additional details provided