Manteca – Doctors Hospital of Manteca has received approximately $2.2 Million in additional capital funding for 2006 from its parent company to purchase advanced medical technology and fund patient care enhancements. This additional capital, in part, will be used to purchase 64-Slice Computed Tomography (CT), a picture archiving and communications system (PACS), and digital enhancement of other modalities.
“This is very positive news for Doctors Hospital of Manteca, our affiliated physicians and our patients,” said Dr. Stephen Newman, Tenet California Chief Executive Officer. “We recognize that ongoing capital investment in our hospitals is critical to making sure they remain competitive in their markets, and we’re committed to helping them bring advanced medical technology and enhanced patient care to our communities. This is a significant capital infusion – one that will help Doctors Hospital of Manteca fulfill our company-wide commitment to deliver high-quality care, and maintain its status as a place where our physicians are proud to refer their patients. We are investing these supplemental dollars in a way that meets the health care needs of the community and supports the requests of our affiliated physicians.”
“The 64-Slice CT is a valuable addition to our facility and is one of the most cutting edge imaging devices on the market today,” stated Sean Fowler, Doctors Hospital of Manteca’s Interim Chief Executive Officer. “The imaging capabilities of the 64-Slice can impact patient management in almost every major specialty including, pulmonary, cancer, surgical planning, and cardiac care.”
The $2.2 million earmarked for Doctors Hospital of Manteca is part of the enhanced capital investment that its parent company, Tenet Healthcare Corporation, is allocating to its core hospitals across the country in 2006. The company said it now expects capital spending this year to reach approximately $800 million, compared to the range of $550 to $650 million the company had previously committed to spend on capital improvements during 2006.
In addition to the addition of the 64-Slice CT, Doctors Hospital of Manteca is currently investing in the following expansion projects:
• Gastroenterology Expansion – In September 2006 DHM will complete the build-out of two, new Gastroenterology Suites.
• Inpatient Dialysis – In September 2006, DHM will begin offering Inpatient Dialysis.
• Nuclear Medicine System – This year DHM will acquire the GE InfiniaTM Hawkeye® Nuclear Medicine System. This camera combines three kinds of imaging:
SPECT-scan – gamma-ray imaging to create a 3-D picture of organ function, as well as pinpointing the growth of tumors and infections
CT-Scan – for positioning and localizing point of interest
Limited PET-scan – gamma-ray imaging of organ function at the molecular level, which is especially useful for early detection of returning or spreading tumors
• Integrated Laparoscopic/Endoscopic Equipment – New surgical equipment will update Operating Room Suite and provide new tools for general surgery and specialty surgical procedures.
Doctors Hospital of Manteca is part of Tenet California. Doctors Hospital of Manteca opened its doors in 1962 as a 28-bed, 41 employee, nine physician rural community hospital in the heart of California’s Central Valley. Over the years, the hospital expanded services to keep pace with the needs of a rapidly growing community. A multi-million dollar addition and upgrade construction project increased the hospital’s capacity to 73 beds. One of the largest businesses in the community, Doctors Hospital now has more than 375 employees and a medical staff of 160 physicians. While maintaining small-town comfort, Doctors Hospital of Manteca offers many advanced services. Private patient rooms, expanded and enhanced imaging services, emergency, pharmacy, ICU/CCU and obstetrical services are designed for the care and comfort of our patients.
Doctors Hospital of Manteca is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the nation’s oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency. To learn more about Doctors Hospital of Manteca, visit our website, www.doctorsmanteca.com.
# # #
Certain statements in this release may constitute forward-looking statements. They are based on management’s current expectations and could be affected by numerous factors and are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Certain of those risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s transition report on Form 10-K for the 7-month period ended Dec. 31, 2002 and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Do not rely on any forward-looking statement, as we cannot predict or control many of the factors that ultimately may affect our ability to achieve the results estimated. We make no promise to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of changes in underlying factors, new information, future events or otherwise.