Creative Healthcare USA signs Agreement to provide Six Sigma performance improvement services to St. Joseph's Community Hospital of West Bend

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona (October 21, 2003) -- Creative Healthcare USA (CHC) and St. Joseph's Community Hospital of West Bend have signed a formal agreement whereby CHC will provide performance improvement consulting services to St. Joseph's 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 St. Joseph's 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 apply Six Sigma methodologies to improve patient throughput and reduce medical errors. 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.

"We are very excited and enthused about our partnership with CHC," said Barbara Knutzen, Chief Operating Officer. "Six sigma techniques will be used to fundamentally redesign our processes, facilitating the transition into our new facility."

About St. Joseph's Community Hospital of West Bend Inc.:

Located in West Bend, Wisconsin, St. Joseph's Community Hospital has served the greater Washington County community since 1930. Major services include ambulatory/outpatient surgery and 24-7 emergency services. The 121-bed hospital features a modern Cancer Care Center and New Life Center. A new $55 million replacement hospital to be located on Hwy 45 just south of West Bend is scheduled for completion in 2005. The new facility has received national attention for its innovative design focused on patient safety.

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.