Creative Healthcare USA signs Agreement to provide Six Sigma performance improvement services to Palomar Pomerado Health, San Diego CA

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona (October 21, 2002) -- Creative Healthcare USA (CHC) and Palomar Pomerado Health (PPH) have signed a formal agreement whereby CHC will provide performance improvement consulting services to PPH utilizing the methodologies in a process now known as "Six Sigma." Six Sigma is a leading process improvement methodology used by world class companies to achieve significant improvements in quality, service, productivity and customer satisfaction. It uses a variety of sophisticated statistical tools and skills, integrated with a standardized methodology, to measure, analyze, improve and control processes.

"We are delighted to include PPH among the growing number of organizations in the healthcare industry that are taking a positive step toward improved performance," notes Ian R. Lazarus, CHC's Managing Partner. "And because Six Sigma methodologies use customer-driven measures as the basis for improvement, the patient will ultimately enjoy the most significant benefits from this important new initiative."

Under the terms of the agreement, CHC will perform projects at PPH while assisting staff to learn the new methodologies. Six Sigma is a relatively new phenomenon in the fields of health and medicine, but many leading healthcare institutions are finding it useful in overcoming challenges not satisfied by traditional quality improvement initiatives.

"With the use of six sigma techniques, PPH Laboratory Services will develop a process that will provide the Emergency Room staff with accurate test results at a pace faster than ever before," says Jerry Kolins, M.D., PPH Laboratory Services. "We will be able to prove our success using statistical tools that will provide solid data for analysis."

About Palomar Pomerado Health:

Palomar Pomerado Health is the largest public hospital district in California, covering nearly 800 square miles in Inland North San Diego County. Palomar Pomerado includes the 328-bed Palomar Medical Center, 107-bed Pomerado Hospital, two skilled nursing facilities, five health centers, a surgery center, home health program, physician referral service, and wellness classes.

About Creative Healthcare USA:

Creative Healthcare USA is a leading provider of Six Sigma and related consulting services to the healthcare industry. Healthcare administrators, physicians and Six Sigma certified "black belts" formed Creative Healthcare in 1998, providing performance improvement programs, business development and strategic advisory services, CRM and e-Health solutions, and marketing and market research services. Creative Healthcare is a founding charter member of the International Society of Six Sigma Professionals. They offer a free Primer on Six Sigma for Healthcare Providers at www.creative-healthcare.com.