(27/07/2004) AGFA-GEVAERT : Leading European trauma center strengthens lead with state-of-the-art Agfa RIS/PACS

Further improvements in hospital efficiency, patient length of stay and waiting times Mortsel / Belgium, 27 July 2004 - The German Bergmannstrost Hospital, a leading European trauma center, has chosen state-of-the-art Agfa RIS/PACS technology to strengthen its lead in the rapidly changing European healthcare world. The Agfa solution will further improve hospital efficiency. The Berufsgenossenschaftlichen (BG) Kliniken Bergmannstrost in Halle/Saale, nearby Leipzig in Germany occupy a central place in the German network of about 700 specialized hospitals appointed by the Berufsgenossenschaften (German carrier of the occupational accidence insurance) under the leadership of HVBG (Hauptverband der gewerblichen Berufsgenossenschaften, the German Employers' Liability Insurance Association). The Berufsgenossenschaften provide healthcare and pension funding for some 42 million employees of about 3 million companies in Germany and run nine trauma centers all over Germany, and as such the Bergmannstrost Hospital is one of Europe's leading trauma centers and continuously seeking higher efficiency and quality of care. As a "prime mover" in increased hospital efficiency, the radiology department at Bergmannstrost Hospital decided four years ago to invest in Agfa's PACS (Picture Archiving and Communications System) IMPAX(TM), which was integrated seamlessly by Agfa in the existing third party RIS. The department has now decided to go for a full-blown Agfa RIS/PACS solution. Says Mr. Joachim Breuer, CEO of Bergmannstrost Hospital: "The investment in the Agfa RIS is a logical step following the earlier investment in the Agfa IMPAX solution, which will now also be upgraded. Agfa convinced with technology, performance, a superb team and excellent services. We expect this investment to strengthen our leading edge in the changing healthcare world." The upgraded Agfa IMPAX solution in combination with the Agfa RIS will further increase hospital efficiency and reduce patient length of stay and waiting times. An earlier two-year research by the Institute of Business Management of the Martin-Luther University in Halle-Wittenberg concluded that the investment in RIS/PACS integration had a payback period of 3.8 years, improving the clinical workflow speed by 80%. In 2003, the RIS/PACS integration project of Bergmannstrost Hospital was nominated for the eEurope Award for eHealth of the European Commission. For more information on Bergmannstrost Hospital you can download the Expert Case from www.agfapress.com/expertcases/ About Agfa The Agfa-Gevaert Group is one of the world's leading imaging companies. Agfa develops, manufactures and markets analogue and digital systems, intended mainly for the graphics industry, healthcare, micrographics, motion picture and photography markets. Agfa's headquarters are in Mortsel, Belgium. The company is active in 40 countries and has 120 agents throughout the world. Together they achieved a turnover of 4,215 million euros in 2003. Product and company information can be found on Agfa's home page on the World Wide Web at: www.agfa.com. Agfa, the Agfa rhombus, IMPAX, Point of Knowledge and See More. Do More. are trademarks of Agfa-Gevaert N.V., Belgium or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Contacts: Geertrui De Smet PR and Events Manager HealthCare tel.: +32 (0) 3 444 73 06 fax: +32 (0) 3 444 72 85 e-mail: geertruidesmet@agfapress.com Johan Jacobs Corporate Press Relations Manager tel.: +32 (0)3 444 80 15 fax: +32 (0)3 444 74 85 e-mail: johan.jacobs@agfa.com © CompanynewsGroup