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Thursday, December 10, 2009

Indiana Blood Center Taps tw telecom for Data, Internet and IP Telephony Services

TW Telecom Services to Connect Indiana Blood Center's 11 Locations Throughout the State

INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- tw telecom (NASDAQ:TWTC), a leading provider of managed voice, Internet and data networking solutions for businesses in Indianapolis and throughout the U.S., today announced that Indiana Blood Center has selected the company to provide advanced voice, data and Internet services to connect the organization's 11 locations located throughout Indiana. Indiana Blood Center will also utilize tw telecom's metro MPLS IP network for IP VPN telephony and intra-office communications.

"After reviewing our options, we were impressed that tw telecom had the flexibility to move as quickly as we do," said Tim Bryant, CIO, Indiana Blood Center. "Our business is dynamic and growing rapidly, and we needed a communications partner that can adapt quickly to our evolving needs. tw telecom showed us they are that partner."

Indiana Blood Center is a vital link in Indiana's health care infrastructure, supplying more than 550 units of blood to more than 60 Indiana hospitals every day. The nonprofit community service organization was founded in 1952 to provide a continuous, safe and adequate supply of blood products and testing services.

"Indiana Blood Center provides a critical service to Hoosiers, and we are pleased that tw telecom services will help the organization continue its remarkable level of service to the communities it serves," said Barbara Hansen, vice president and general manager for tw telecom in Indianapolis. "We're also gratified that when Indiana Blood Center evaluated us against our competitors using metrics such as flexibility, reliability, network infrastructure and customer service, we came out on top."

tw telecom connects more commercial buildings to its fiber network than any other competitive communications provider. In fact, it has the third highest market share of retail Ethernet ports in service. With its own metro fiber networks and one of the ten most interconnected IP backbones in the world, tw telecom has the national capability, robust product portfolio and national/local customer care teams to support mission critical enterprise applications and to deliver the industry's most sought after customer experience.

About tw telecom

tw telecom holdings inc., a unit of tw telecom inc., headquartered in Littleton, Colo., provides managed network services, specializing in Ethernet and transport data networking, Internet access, local and long distance voice, VoIP, VPN and security, to enterprise organizations and communications services companies throughout the U.S., and globally. As a leading provider of integrated and converged network solutions, tw telecom delivers customers overall economic value, quality, service, and improved business productivity. Please visit www.twtelecom.com for more information.

About Indiana Blood Center

Indiana Blood Center lives a daily mission to supply blood and blood components to Hoosier patients in need at more than 60 Indiana hospitals. We are a non-profit community service organization licensed by the FDA and the Indiana State Department of Health, and accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB). For more information, visit www.indianablood.org

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Agilysys Announces 'Cash for Computer Clunkers' Assessment Program

Assists customers cost-effectively updating to newer IBM server and storage technology

CLEVELAND, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Agilysys, Inc. (NASDAQ:AGYS), a leading provider of innovative IT solutions, announces a Cash for Computer Clunkers assessment program which is aimed at assisting customers with assessing equipment eligible for trade-in incentives on existing technology when updating their enterprise with new IBM server and storage technology.

"Realizing the constraints being placed on organizations as a result of the current economic climate, Agilysys is working with our customers to ensure they have the best systems in place now to assist with future growth," said Lou Sciacchetano, vice president of sales, Agilysys IBM Technology Solutions. "While many company's may be delaying IT purchases due to their financial situations, the Agilysys Cash for Computer Clunkers assessment program is a great way to assist companies with installing more reliable technology platforms today while at the same time receiving trade-in credit on their older, more inefficient systems."

The Cash for Computer Clunkers assessment program complements Agilysys' previously announced certification in IBM's Dynamic Infrastructure Specialty Program, which is focused on helping customers build a new, more dynamic infrastructure designed to bring more intelligence, automation, integration and efficiencies to their organization. By assisting customers with identifying equipment eligible for trade-in incentives through various vendor offered programs, Agilysys is well-positioned to more accurately respond to its customer's multi-faceted IT challenges and help with the creation of dynamic infrastructures.

The Agilysys Cash for Computer Clunkers assessment program runs through December 31, 2009. Further information on the assessment program may be found on the Agilysys website at www.agilysys.com/ibmsolutions.

About Agilysys, Inc.
Agilysys is a leading provider of innovative IT solutions to corporate and public-sector customers, with special expertise in select markets, including retail and hospitality. The company uses technology -- including hardware, software and services -- to help customers resolve their most complicated IT needs. The company possesses expertise in enterprise architecture and high availability, infrastructure optimization, storage and resource management, identity management and business continuity; and provides industry-specific software, services and expertise to the retail and hospitality markets. Headquartered in Cleveland, Agilysys operates extensively throughout North America, with additional sales and support offices in the United Kingdom and China. For more information, visit www.agilysys.com.

Monday, November 2, 2009

FDA release guidelines for H1N1 diagnosis

SILVER SPRING, Md., Nov. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today published a guidance document that should help manufacturers develop diagnostic tests for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus.

Although there are not any FDA-approved or cleared tests that diagnose this specific infection, during this pandemic manufacturers can submit a request to the FDA for an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).

If granted, the EUA will allow the test to be used during the national public health emergency declared by Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in April. This guidance document outlines what information the FDA recommends that manufacturers include in these EUA requests.

The EUA authority allows the FDA to authorize use of unapproved or uncleared medical products or unapproved or uncleared uses of approved or cleared medical products following a declaration of emergency, when certain criteria are met. The authorization ends when the declaration of emergency is terminated or the authorization is revoked by the FDA.

The EUA authority is part of Project BioShield, which became law in July 2004.

While the FDA encourages manufacturers to submit appropriate premarket applications for these tests, the agency also recognizes that it may not be possible to generate complete clinical validation data that would normally be included in an application. However, this guidance outlines information the FDA recommends be included, and the FDA gives these requests thorough and careful review to protect the public health.

During this declared public health emergency, manufacturers of 2009 H1N1 influenza virus tests that are unable to submit a complete premarket notification may use the guidance to submit a request for an EUA.

The guidance document is part of the FDA's ongoing efforts to provide public health authorities managing the pandemic with reliable and accessible diagnostic tests. The guidance is available online and will remain in effect throughout the public health emergency.

Monday, October 19, 2009

CDC 2009 H1N1 Flu Status Report

CDC 2009 H1N1 Flu

"As of today, influenza is widespread in most of the United States. We're seeing it continuing to increase in some areas. We're seeing a slight decrease in some areas. We note that it's now present throughout the united states. It's still remains overwhelming H1N1 pandemic influenza and influenza is a tough enemy. It's unpredictable. Although there has been a slight decrease nationally and in some areas, in other areas it's still on the upswing. We wish we could predict the future. But we can't. We do know that flu season generally lasts well into may. So, we've got many, many months ahead of us where we don't know what will happen and we need to take the best steps we can to protect ourselves." —Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Oct. 6 CDC press briefing

I cannot even buy a flu shot because I'm already sick. Each week, it is a different symptom. This week it is a swollen throat. Dizziness is constant, bed rest is best. When will this end?! (I never get sick! Why do I have the flu?)
Take bleach water mix with you in spray bottle or Lysol or Clorox wipes when running errands!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Swine Flu, Seasonal Flu tips to stay healthy

Red Cross Offers Important Tips for Caring for Someone With the Flu

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting that the H1N1 (swine flu) virus has now spread throughout the United States, the American Red Cross has a set of tips for people who are sick or are taking care of someone who has the flu.

Flu viruses spread from person to person in droplets of coughs or sneezes, and can also spread if a person touches droplets on another person or object and then touches their own mouth or nose before washing their hands. To prevent the spread of the flu, it is important to remember to wash your hands and cover your cough or sneeze.

"It's important to know what to do to protect yourself and others when you are taking care of someone who has the flu," said Sharon Stanley, chief nurse and director, Red Cross Disaster Health and Mental Health Services. Recent survey results conducted by the Red Cross reveal that six in ten Americans feel that they need more information about how to care for someone with the flu*. The following tips can be helpful:

If you are ill:
-- Stay in a room separate from common areas of the home and avoid
contact with others as much as possible.
-- Stay at home for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone without
using medicine to reduce the fever.
-- Get lots of rest and drink plenty of fluids.
-- Consider wearing a facemask, if available and tolerable, when sharing
common spaces with household members.

-- Check with your healthcare provider about whether to take antiviral
medication, or if fever persists, whether antibiotics are needed.

When caring for someone who has the flu:
-- Disinfect door knobs, switches, handles, toys and other surfaces that
everyone touches.
-- Use detergent and very hot water to do dishes and wash clothes. It's
okay to wash everyone's dishes and clothes together. Wash your hands
after handling dirty laundry.
-- Designate only one adult as the caregiver. People at increased risk
of severe illness from the flu should not be caregivers.
-- Deal with crisis situations calmly and confidently to give the best
support to the person being cared for.
-- Remember your own needs as well.
-- Practice healthy habits. Eat a balanced diet. Drink plenty of water.
Get regular exercise.

-- Get enough sleep and rest.

Caring for someone else can be stressful. Common symptoms of stress include sleep disturbances, headaches, muscle tension or aches, a change in appetite, skin problems, anxiety, depression, frustration and overreacting. If someone is dealing with a lot of stress, it's important to ask for help. If a caregiver is in a stressful situation, they should express their feelings to people they trust, get into a regular schedule of seven to eight hours of sleep, exercise, and take some time to relax.

According to the CDC, most people who have become ill with the H1N1 virus are moderately ill, similar to the illness that occurs during the regular flu season. H1N1 is affecting many young adults and children, people ages five to 24. The majority of people sick with H1N1 don't need testing or treatment. However if someone is severely ill and is pregnant, and has trouble breathing or has an underlying condition like heart disease, lung disease (such as asthma) or diabetes, it is important to get treated promptly within the first 48 hours.

The Red Cross also offers the award-winning Family Caregiving quick reference guide with a companion DVD for purchase on www.RedCrossStore.org.

For more information on the flu, visit www.redcross.org, www.flu.gov, or contact your local Red Cross chapter.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization -- not a government agency -- and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org/.
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